Month: May 2019

FEAR NOT…


Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’  NKJV

Years ago I had an individual tell me that there were 365 “fear not’s” in the Bible, one for every day of the year.  Imagine that, if it were true but after doing some diligent research I was unable to find 365 and in many versions not even 100.  However, that is not a problem because ONE – “fear not” from Jesus is enough right!  Although this is some almost worthless information the following has been found:

            KJV – 74 “fear not”; 29 – “be not afraid”

            NASB – 4 – “fear not”; 57 – “do not fear”; 46 – “do not be afraid”

The word “fear” in all of its forms is only listed 314 times in the original languages, which also includes words translated as terrible, dreadful, reverence, and terrible acts.  As per www.blueletterbible.com, we find the following:

NKJV – 129, NIV – 66, NASB – 127, ASV – 148, DBY – 155, HNV – 44, NLT – 38, ESV – 137, RSV – 139, YNG – 115, WEB – 144.

The truth is that if it was in the Bible just ONE TIME that would be enough because as we find in Genesis God only had to say, “Let there be light” one time for it to happen.  It didn’t take 365 to cover every day of the year.  God said it and that was enough to bring it into existence.  What we need to do is “believe” what He says about this and everything else. 

As Christians, we DO NOT FEAR or do not have to fear!  We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus and transferred from the kingdom or domain of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s Light and Love!  We are more than, conquerors through Him who loved and loves us!  He has overcome the World and He lives in our hearts so we are overcomers!  We have nothing to fear because God is with us! 

I am concerned about the condition of our nation spiritually but not fearful.  I am concerned about many things but not fearful.  I refuse to allow fear to have dominion in my life because I know that God has promised to “never leave me nor forsake me.” 

Fear would be an expression of doubt in the promises of God and I choose to believe His promises!  When “fear” raises its ugly head and tries to gain a foothold in my thinking I run to the Cross and look at the finished work of Jesus and fear dissipates. 

Worry is a by-product of fear so I choose not to allow worry to have any place in my thinking.  I do not try to justify worry or fear by saying “I’m just concerned.”  I am concerned about many things but confident that no matter how they turn out God is still God and will be with me through it all and in it all.   That brings peace to my heart and gives me the confidence and strength to face each day and all the struggles that that day might contain.

So as you go through this day go with the confidence that God is with you!  Walk in freedom, not fear! 

May God be with you as you go through your day!

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A PIG IS A PIG…


2 Peter 2:18-22 – “For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: “A dog returns to his own vomit,” and, “a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” NKJV

Peter is addressing false teachers and heresy but makes some very interesting analogies in this portion of scripture that I want to look at briefly.  We have all known or known of preachers and teachers whose lives do not match their preaching and teaching.  Some of them are charlatans who live in the prison of their lust for money, power, position, lasciviousness, and the like.  They come promising the hearer liberty but are bound by corruption so they can offer nothing spiritually that is liberating.  They offer words that are “empty” because their words are not backed up by their hearts.

He addresses the sad situation where one escapes the pollution of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then becomes entangled in those pollution again.  He powerfully expresses that it would have been better for that person to have NEVER KNOWN the way of Righteousness than to have experienced it and turned back.  His picture is that of the natural inclination of a sick dog or a cleaned up pig returning to the mire.  

I know that some will totally disagree with me doctrinally on this but Peter tells us that we have an individual or individuals who have escaped the pollution of the world through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.  They moved out of darkness into light.  He then addresses the issue of that individual or individuals turning their backs on what they have received and returning to the way of the world and compares it to a dog’s nature or a pig’s nature.  A pig cannot help being a pig but a person who comes to know Jesus has a “new nature” through the Blood of Jesus and does not have to return to the mire.  

Just because temptation comes does not mean you are obligated to yield to it.  You are no longer a pig so get it out of your head that you are somehow obligated to wallow in the mire just because you are human.  That would diminish the power of the Cross and that is unacceptable to me.  If the Blood of Jesus can wash away my sin then the Grace of God can keep me walking in the way!  Of course, we may all and probably will stumble at times but that doesn’t mean we return to the mire and allow the “old nature” to gain control.  No, we immediately repent and allow the Spirit of God to help us learn from our mistakes and mature. 

I know people who keep succumbing to the same temptation time after time. They come in tears and lament over this condition. I had one person tell me one time, “I can’t help it it’s the way God made me.”  That didn’t sit well with me and I’m sure it didn’t with God because once we receive the knowledge of the Lord and are born into the family of God we are NEW CREATIONS so that is not the way God made us. 

It is our responsibility to “resist” and in “resisting” the Bible tells us that the devil will flee!  Bullies only bully people who offer no resistance.  So, a pig is a pig but you are not a pig you are a child of the King and have been washed clean.  If you stumble you have an advocate with the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ!  You may experience that failure but you don’t have to take up permanent residence there.  God’s Grace is Greater than all our Sin!

May the Lord be with you as you go through your day!

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TWO ROADS – WHICH ONE IS YOURS?


Psalm 1:1-6 – “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” NKJV

I love the Psalms and especially this first one.  It is applicable in all seasons and in all situations and expresses the heart of our Heavenly Father in such a powerful way.  There is the contrast of the “Blessed” person and the “Cursed” person or “Un-blessed.”  There is the identification that there are two paths in life that we can follow and the benefits or pitfalls of those choices.

THE BLESSED MAN:

Chooses the Lord and His Way over the wisdom of the world or the morals of an unregenerate society and this person is not scornful but takes delight in the law of the Lord and in God’s Word he invests himself as much as humanly possible.  In so doing, he finds that his life becomes like a tree planted by the refreshing streams that provide the nurture and nourishment needed to grow, thrive, and produce fruit.  It is not affected by the drought because it is receiving the life-giving flow of water from the river.  This person is prosperous in ALL that he/she does.  That is a position and condition that each of us should ardently desire.

THE UNGODLY:

Next we see the contrast in the state of the ungodly.  They are unstable like the chaff of the wheat that the wind blows wherever it may.  The ungodly are unable to withstand the judgment or ability to stand in their own defense in a trial because they are guilty, unrepentant, and Unforgiven.  They have no place or position in the congregation of the righteous or in the blessings that flow to the one who follows the Lord with a whole heart.

We are reminded that God is fully aware of our state and condition.  The righteous will walk in victory, grace, peace, power, and success but the wicked or the ungodly will perish.  I readily acknowledge that God sends the rain on the just and unjust alike and that many go through life with seemingly little negative as a result of their chosen lifestyles but I know that ONE DAY we will give account and on that day my heart cries to hear – “Well done!  Come on in!” The ungodly will hear, “Depart from Me for I never knew you.”

We all have choices in life and when we set our hearts to follow God, the Holy Spirit will come to our side and walk with us through life’s pathways.  It may not be easy but it will lead to Eternal Life!  So which road is yours?

May God bless you as you go through your day!

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ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY AND THE BIBLE…


2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 – “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” NKJV

Let me say first – I am totally in favor of helping the truly needy!  However, let me continue to say that the “Entitlement Mentality” exhibited by much of the world and more particularly America today runs completely contrary to the teachings of Scripture as is evidenced in this passage.

Church discipline is almost non-existent today because we have little real concept of the Kingdom and the governing ministries and functions that God has established in the Church.  The apostle is emphatic that the church withdraw fellowship from every “brother” – – (a professing believer) who walks disorderly and contrary to how the apostles and Christ had taught them.  He stresses that in order to emphasize the importance of industry rather than idleness and laziness he and his companions labored rather than depended on the offerings of the Church for their sustenance.  They did so as examples.  Would to God that men and women of God, in leadership today would take this to heart on a deeper level than is frequently exhibited for it is a shame for a man or woman of God to become an example of “Entitlement” rather than “Industry.”

Paul, speaking to the church where all “welfare” or Christian charity came from addressed this issue and declared what our government and many in the church seem to miss – There is always work that can be done!  He is speaking to that issue and said plainly that if anyone would not work they should not be given food.  Busybodies, talebearers, idleness should not something be favored but should experience the sting of being outside the camp in order to bring them to their senses and even to repentance so that they can be restored.

In order that no one miss his true message he followed that piece of instruction with a charge in verses 13-15 that identifies that the motivation is to always be charitable, willing to help and do good, but maintain discipline not for punitive purposes but for restoration purposes.  I am convinced that if they church could somehow come to the place that it accepted the Apostles Doctrine and followed the guidelines of Scripture in this and other areas we would see the government booted out of the welfare business in a significant measure. We would find that more and more people would follow the directive of Scripture and enjoying the fruit of their labors in the Lord. 

When we shift our dependence upon man from God we become subservient to man and thereby shut off many of the blessings of the Lord.  “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and ALL THESE THINGS shall be added to you,” is more than a nice catchy phrase it is a principle of life. Churches, pastors, believers let’s consider getting in order so that we can have the fullness of God’s provision, protection, power, and potential. 

May the Lord bless you as you go through your day!

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“IF” – – MY PART and HIS PART…


Colossians 3:1-11 – “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.” NKJV

It is always important to note any sentence, thought, topic, or paragraph that begins with “if.”  Without the “if” the remainder of the thought has no application for the reader especially if it is a participatory subject as we find in this passage.  The apostle Paul is telling the Church a Colossae and to all who will read in the generations to follow that if they have been raised in the “New Birth – Salvation” through Jesus then there are some important things to note.

  1. IF – THEN “seek” those things which are above where Christ is.
  2. IF – THEN “set your mind” on things above and not on earth.

Because if you have died to sin your life is now “hidden” with Christ in God and the world no longer recognizes you because you are no longer part of it.

Verse five begins a process that is not possible without the divine work of Grace and the Holy Spirit.  Verse eight identifies some things that it is our responsibility to do.  Obviously this is not without the work of the Spirit of God but these are things that are our responsibilities as “born-again believers” who have been transferred out of darkness into the newness of life and light in Christ.

Notice the things he tells us to put away “ourselves.”

  1. Anger
  2. Wrath
  3. Malice
  4. Blasphemy
  5. Filthy language
  6. Lies

Because we have put off (by the work of the Holy Spirit) the Old Man with his deeds and have put on the New Man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him and it is universally applicable to everyone regardless of race, creed, or national origin.

In this NEW LIFE in Christ there is a part that God does sovereignly by the work of the Holy Spirit and a part that we cooperate and participate in through our knowledge and even personal determination which some would call will-power.  We know they are not right and if we are IN CHRIST we have no justification for continued participation in them.  You do not have to lie. You do not have to allow anger or wrath to rule.  You do not have to allow malice in your heart.  You do not have to blaspheme or use filthy language.  Those are things you can decide not to do and immediately the Holy Spirit will become your Helper.  Of course you will be attacked by the devil but “Greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world.”  We are victors in Christ!

May God bless you as you go through your day!

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THE CURSES OF THE FALL IN THE GARDEN…


Genesis 3:14-19 – “So the LORD God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, And more than every beast of the field; On your belly you shall go, And you shall eat dust All the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”

16 To the woman He said:

“I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.”

17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:

“Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life.

18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. 19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”  NKJV

It is clear that there is so much more here than can be covered in a short devotional regarding the multiple curses regarding Adam & Eve’s DISOBEDIENCE and CHOICE in the Garden as well as the Serpent’s involvement.  God was specific and yet we seem to miss much of what He said and the impact of what He said.

  1. The Serpent was Cursed and informed that the “Seed of the Woman” – CHRIST would crush him in time to come.
  • The Woman received a three-fold curse.
  1. Multiplied sorrow.

This may well include the anxiety of the mother over her offspring not just in birth but as they develop and grow and seems to be a life-long situation.

  • Pain in Child-bearing.

Since there were not births before this it seems to be that God never intended for a woman to have pain in bearing children but because of disobedience this came into being.

  • Subjection to her husband.

Adam and Eve by all accounts were co-regents ruling the Earth but because she took the lead in this disobedience she was not relegated to a position of subjection to her husband.  Not his slave but subordinate in the structure of God’s plan for the family.

  • The Man received more than just a curse for himself.
  • Adam caused the very ground in which he grew produce to be cursed and it would no longer produce at the magnitude it had before.
  • He would have to labor to produce the food he would eat and that was passed on to all successive generations.
  • This condition would be a life-long condition.

Disobedience brought pain, trouble, and a conflict of the genders.  It also brought about a struggle for mankind in producing food and his livelihood.  None of which was necessary but “SIN” brought it into play.  The Garden of Eden was truly a land flowing with “milk and honey”. The productivity of the earth was something that successive generations would never know again.  The physical labor of a degree that would take a significant toll on the human body and initiated the process of physical death was brought into the picture.

The Garden of Eden was a Heaven on Earth and the Choice of Adam & Eve to disobey God’s directive and follow the deception of the serpent penalized all of mankind into perpetuity.   Sin has consequences!  That is a subject not often talked about in many churches today but it is a valid Biblical principle.  We do not have to succumb to temptation but if we do there is a consequence.  We can walk in obedience to God’s Word and if we do there is a benefit.  It truly is our choice!

Adam & Eve brought pain and suffering on mankind that has led to the wars and strife we see today in our world and have seen generation after generation.  The earth does not produce as it did in the Garden because of their disobedience.  Had it not been for the mercy of God and the coming of Christ to the Cross we would be of all men and women most miserable.  But, Jesus reversed the curse of sin!  Some of the elements of the curses stay with us but we are no longer under the dominion of the devil and have moved from dominance by the god of this world to the Kingdom of God’s Dear Son.  We have moved from darkness into light.  We have moved from hopelessness to abundant life.

So as you go through your day realize that although you may find some things difficult the ultimate promise of God found in the curse is that Jesus would and has crushed the head of the devil and WE ARE FREE!  So live free!

May God bless you as you go through your day!

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MY PRAYER FOR EACH OF YOU…


Ephesians 1:15-23 – “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,  21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” NKJV

I feel like declaring this morning how much each of you mean to me. I treasure each of you more than I can express. As I travel across this land I think of my friends and those who I am trying to reach with the message of Hope. Each morning as I rise and pray, read, and meditate on the things of the Lord, this passage keeps coming to my mind and I, like the apostle Paul, pray it for each of you.

Many of you have expressed your faith and love for the Lord so profoundly and it has deeply touched my heart.  I dare not cease giving thanks for you each day because you are so important to the Kingdom of God and to me personally.  I have begun anew to pray:

  1. Father, give my dear friends the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the knowledge of You.
  2. Open the eyes of their understanding so that they are always enlightened.
  3. Make the hope of Your calling so rich and real to them that they are propelled into your desired labor with fervency.
  4. Make them know, in a new measure, their inheritance in You!
  5. Cause each of them to know the exceeding greatness of your power to each of us who believe and give them power, protection, authority, and dominion in the Spirit realm.

I pray, “Father, it is my genuine prayer that you protect each of my friends, their families, and those to whom they minister and associate.  May you grant them the overflowing riches of your grace and love in all things and at all times.  You know how valuable they are to me and if they are valuable to me then how much more are they to you?”

      May the Lord bless you richly as you go through your day!

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WISE COUNSEL OR EGO DRIVEN???


Today as I sat before the Lord my prayer time before anyone else was awake, my heart overflowed with gladness knowing the right path and having chosen it for myself and my family.  That was on a personal level, however, on a national level there are many who have not made that choice and it is disconcerting and troubling but something that continues to be a matter of prayer.  God asked me, “Is it better to listen to the wise counsel of the old men or the ego and ideology of the new people in power?”  While there is no clear cut answer to that in many cases, in some it is crystal clear as in this biblical account.

1 Kings 12:1-5 – “Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. 2 Now when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it, he was living in Egypt (for he was yet in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon). 3 Then they sent and called him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, 4 ” Your father made our yoke hard; now, therefore, lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke which he put on us, and we will serve you.” 5 Then he said to them, ” Depart for three days, then return to me.” So the people departed.”

CONSULTATION IS A GOOD PLAN, IF YOU PLAN TO LISTEN…

Notice verse 6, King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?” 7 Then they spoke to him, saying, ” If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant them their petition, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” 8 But he forsook the counsel of the elders which they had given him, and consulted with the young men who grew up with him and served him. 9 So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?” 10 The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ But you shall speak to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins! 11’Whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.'”

WRONG CHOICES DIVIDE KINGDOMS AND BRING RUIN…

Now move on to verse 12 and read the disturbing response he made.  “Then Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam on the third day as the king had directed, saying, ” Return to me on the third day.” 13 The king answered the people harshly, for he forsook the advice of the elders which they had given him, 14 and he spoke to them according to the advice of the young men, saying, ” My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” 15 So the king did not listen to the people; for it was a turn of events from the LORD, that He might establish His word, which the LORD spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.”

WE HAVE DIVISIONS AMONG US THAT ARE MAN MADE…

As we continue reading this chapter and account we find in verse 16 the root cause of many of our problems individually and nationally. “The Kingdom Divided; Jeroboam Rules Israel When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying, “What portion do we have in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse; To your tents, O Israel! Now look after your own house, David!” So Israel departed to their tents. 17 But as for the sons of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. 18 Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam made haste to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem. 19 So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.

20 It came about when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, that they sent and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. None but the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. 21 Now when Rehoboam had come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin, 180,000 chosen men who were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel to restore the kingdom to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. 22 But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, 23 “Speak to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all the house of Judah and Benjamin and to the rest of the people, saying, 24’Thus says the LORD, “You must not go up and fight against your relatives the sons of Israel; return every man to his house, for this thing has come from Me.”‘” So they listened to the word of the LORD, and returned and went their way according to the word of the LORD.”  NASU

My deepest desire is for my family and me to serve the Lord in fullness with total surrender at all times and in all things.  Additionally, I want to see as many brought in to the Kingdom of God as is possible to share in this joyous life in Christ.  Likewise, I want to see our government brought back to the point where we can truthfully and proudly say that we are, “One Nation Under God” again.  In the months to come we will be bombarded with politics and political diatribe and spin.  We must pray for the mind of God or we will be deceived by the politics of politicians.  I want God’s will to be done in America in every aspect of our lives, politically, socially, economically, and spiritually. 

May the Lord Bless you as you go through your day!

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LET’S TALK ABOUT CHARITY…


Leviticus 19:9-10 – “Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10’Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the LORD your God.”  NASU

Unfortunately, in today’s world, the word charity has taken on a somewhat negative meaning, at times and has been maligned and morphed from its origination and intent.  Many of us are bombarded with pleas from Charities or Charitable Organizations for donations or volunteerism.  Some Charities are in such administrative imbalance that little of the monies donated reach the intended cause.  Some are fraudulent scams making an appeal for something with no intention of ever fulfilling the declared purpose.  Some are incredibly upright and worthy of consideration.  But, by and large, when we hear the word charity it does not always produce a compassionate thought in our minds. 

I’ve had people that I or the church wanted to help become angry and declare, “I don’t accept charity.”  Biblical Charity is more than benevolence it is rooted in love.  Love for people and love for God.  It is also rooted in faith and trust.  Charity not to be confused with a Charitable organization but the act of charity is to bestow gratuitously to the needy or suffering to bring about a measure of relief.  It can be far more than money because it is by definition an act of kindness. 

Those of us that have been burned by Charitable Organizations and discovered that little, if any of what we gave, actually reached its intended target have an automatic red flag when we are petitioned to give.  That is, unless.  Unless what?  Unless we adopt some principles and practices in our giving.  First, we should always pray about giving, where we give, and what we give.  I treat giving to a charitable cause the same as I do business deals.  I have found that if it is deemed too pressing to allow me time to pray about it, I probably do not need to do the deal.  God has prevented me from makings some colossal mistakes following that prescription both in business and in giving. 

Here in Leviticus and throughout the Scriptures, we find God’s heart and attitude toward Charity.  This principle can be applied to every business venture and endeavor in our lives.  We are to plan for giving to the poor and needy.  We can be conscious of the needy or we can be greedy, but we cannot be both. 

I had someone tell me that this principle was an Old Testament principle and not applicable in the New Testament.  I quoted them a seldom quoted passage from Hebrews 13:6, “And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”  In Proverbs 19:17 we are reminded that “Whoever is generous with the poor lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his deed.”  Of course, we would be remiss if we did not cite Luke 6:38 and 2 Corinthians 9:6 regarding giving.  Giving is God’s idea and plan for demonstrating His heart.

I preached on charity and had someone come to me afterward to challenge me and tell me that because I espoused conservative political views my message and my politics were a contradiction.  This person, as many have, insisted that if I truly believed in caring for the poor I would want the government to implement programs of benevolence and welfare. 

Not to become political in a devotional let me say, “It is our individual responsibility and the church’s responsibility to care for the poor, not human government.”  If we as families, caring individuals, churches, and even communities followed the directives of Scripture, there would be no need for the government to become people’s source of sustenance. 

There is a truth that is missed in most arguments on either side of that equation but was practiced in the New Testament Church and visible in the Old Testament.  That truth was expressed by the apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 where he instructed the church about giving and personal responsibility.  It was a message of tough love.  He said, “…if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat…” 

We are not responsible or required to feed laziness.  In fact, the idea is that if you do you are violating God’s basic principles of life and responsibility.  Remember it was this same apostle who said, in his instructions to his son in the faith, in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever or infidel.”  That is pointed, isn’t it?

Giving to the needy touches the heart of God like few other things we do.  I have developed a practice in giving to have the attitude that I am not giving to a particular person or cause but to God.  I give as directed by the Spirit of God and once I have given I release it to God and if the person or organization I have given to misuses it, that is God’s responsibility.  I almost said, God’s Problem but God doesn’t have problems, He only has problem children.

I’ve heard it said virtually all of my Christian life that you cannot out give God and that is an absolute truth.  However, trying to can be fun and is certainly an interesting journey.  I could relate many incidences where my giving resulted in something so far beyond my expectation I was astounded.  I have experienced God engineering situations and people to not only supply my needs but also my wants. 

I am not suggesting that you make the reason for your charity what you will receive but I also do not want to remove it from the equation because God doesn’t.  I had a man who was generous beyond words and an incredibly successful businessman tell me that his philosophy was, “I give to get to get to give.”  His view was that God owns it all and he is simply a steward of what does not belong to him so when he gives he is not giving away his money but God’s money.  He would laugh and say, “It’s easy to give away other people’s money.

What is your need?  Is there an area of lack in your life?  Have you grown complacent in your walk and relationship with God?  Do you want the fires of revival and the presence of God restored and renewed in your life?  Let me suggest that one of the ways to press into those promises is through Generosity!  Stop eating your seed and plant them.  Read Luke 6:38 again and again until one word leaps off the page and explodes in your spirit.  What is that word?  IT.  Give and IT shall be given to you.  Read on and you discover that it is a multiplication of the IT you gave. 

            God bless you as you embark on a new journey in Christ!

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