Check the overflow . . .

 

1 Chronicles 16; Obadiah; Luke 5; James 3

It was a grand worship service. David brought the ark to Jerusalem and placed it in the tent pitched for it. He offered burnt and peace offerings and blessed the people He also fed them bread, meat and raisin cakes. He appointed people to invoke, thank and praise the Lord and others to fill the place with music. Then he gave thanks — many verses of praise giving glory to God. “And all the people said, ‘Amen!’ and praised the Lord.”

Then all the people departed each to his house, and David went home to bless his household. (1 Chronicles 16:43)

This is one result of worshiping God; His people afterward go home and bless our household, our family, any who make up the place where we reside. I’m smiling. Sometimes the habit is to go home after church and have a nap, or a big dinner, or to watch a football game. Some of God’s people go shopping, or visiting, or out for a drive. Going home to bless our household isn’t always high on the list.

Sadly, some go home to strife and family feuding, picking right up where they left off. Untouched by the reality of God’s blessings, their lives are in turmoil. In ancient Israel, this kind of family feuding came up when Israel was taken captive by Babylon. The Edomites, descendants of Esau who was Jacob’s brother, helped capture some of their own relatives and turned them over to their enemies. God affirmed this was very wrong by comparing them to thieves. . .

If thieves came to you, if plunderers came by night— how you have been destroyed!— would they not steal only enough for themselves? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? (Obadiah 5)

This prophet went on to say, “As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head.” This is a spiritual reality. The way I treat others, even family members, comes back on me. Ignore my kids; they ignore me. Mistrust my spouse; he mistrusts me. Instead, because I worship God, I should also be blessing them.

Jesus is surely into family gatherings. His first miracle happened at a wedding. He often went into a home to heal someone who was ill or raise someone who had died. In Luke 5, He called a tax collector to follow Him and was invited into this man’s home. Tax collectors were Jews despised by their own people because they worked for the Roman government. However, this man held a feast for Jesus and invited more tax collectors, his ‘family’ — and Jesus went to that feast even though the religious leaders of His day grumbled about it. But because Jesus honored His Father, He ate with those who were hated and blessed them.

While James 2 speaks directly to impartiality and loving others (including family), James 3 alludes to the attitudes I need to have because I worship God. The greater part of this chapter is about controlling my tongue. Do I say things in my home that I would not want my Christian friends to hear? Do I treat the people in my family in ways that I would rather hide than make public? Being a Christian is about integrity — being the same person in all areas of life, not nicey-nicey at church and a crabby person behind closed doors. James points to a heart problem that involves conflicting motivations . . .

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13–18)

APPLY: If my ambition is merely looking good in church circles, it can lead to not caring how I look elsewhere. If I am jealous of others whose lives appear godly and fake it in my own life, then my ungodliness will mean disorder someplace, likely my household. God’s wisdom is pure, unspoiled by selfishness. It is also impartial and sincere, wanting to bless everyone especially after God has blessed me. Because of God’s grace, my life should be overflowing with His goodness — not only after a time of worship, but all the time — and not only toward His children but to my household and to everyone around me.