Gifts without price

God’s blessings may cost us something, but we cannot obtain anything from Him with bargaining or by offering money.
 

I’ve not listened to the current batch of television preachers but know that some of them have a reputation for a false brand of religion called “name it and claim it.” This is a theology that assumes God wants His people rich, perfectly healthy, and having the best of everything. They forget that even the Son of God “had no place to lay His head.”

Another branch of false teaching is the idea that the more a person gives to the church, the more God will pour out blessings, usually financial gain. They quote verses like, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” (Ecclesiastes 11:1) and “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need” (Malachi 3:10).

The assumption again is that God thinks like sinful man. He has His price and can be influenced by our generosity. This happened several times in the early church. One couple tried to enhance their reputation in the church through their giving. Another man tried to buy the power of God with money.

Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. (Acts 8:18–22)

In the above story, Simon tried to buy what God offers freely. Is this not an insult to God? Peter called it wickedness and told this man to repent and ask for forgiveness. When a person’s heart is right before God, we will know that He gives freely, and that He also decides who gets what. We cannot name and claim anything, for if we are honest, we know that we do not deserve even the least of His blessings. A humble person, contrite before God and realizing our sinfulness, trusts God to bestow as He sees fit.

I’ve not thought too much about money in terms of its power. It does rule much of the minds and matters of humanity. People use it to impress and to gain control over others. Most of the news stories in today’s paper will be about money. 

This does not have to be true. A few weeks ago, we toured the Biltmore House, a grand estate established by the Vanderbilts as a place to provide hospitality to their friends. While money built the house, I am impressed by their motivation. Those with money can easily use it for less generous purposes.

Our son makes enough money that he could put on an impressive wedding, yet his motivation and that of his new wife was not about themselves. They did this to delight their friends and family, including babies and children. They had a balloon artist and craft tables for the kids and music at a reasonable volume so we could talk to one another without shouting. They wanted their guests to be relaxed and enjoy themselves. They used their resources to bless, not impress.

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Lord, we had a grand day yesterday. Lest I get overly impress over the red carpet treatment, You remind me that Your blessings are up to You and cannot be bought or traded. None of us can claim special treatment because of anything we do. Any blessing we receive comes to us because Jesus Christ died on the cross to forgive our sin and bring us into a right relationship with You. That relationship is the greatest gift. May it motivate me all day today.

All for the asking

St. Cross Hospital is England’s oldest almshouse. It was founded by William the Conqueror's grandson, Henri du Blois in 1132 and continues an ancient tradition called the Wayfarer's Dole. Any person who knocks at the door of the Porter’s Lodge and asks for it will receive a small horn cup of ale and a piece of bread.

The almshouse idea came from a monk, but I wonder if he was thinking of these words uttered by Jesus Christ?

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:7–11)

This offer from the Lord goes back even farther than the tradition at St. Cross. He said it more than two thousand  years ago, linking it to His eternal Father who has no beginning or end. His mercy and gracious heart are always open to those who come to Him in need.

Hungry sinners may ask for bread, even the bread of life, and this is freely given. Yet the offer includes more. There is a bath attached so that marred and sinful souls can go to Jesus and be washed. This fountain is always full, always efficacious, always ready to wash away crimson stains and make us whiter than snow before God.

Jesus’ offer includes a wardrobe. Those who are washed from sin are given a new robe of righteousness. His offer provides armor that will cover and protect those who wear it. This includes a sword and a shield to defend and protect the cleansed sinner’s soul from the enemy’s lies, even refuting them and sending him away. All this is ours for the asking.

Actually, at the feet of Jesus, nothing that is good for us is ever denied. He takes care of physical, mental, emotional and financial needs. He freely offers wisdom to those who ask. Nor only that, the one who knocks at the Savior’s door is given an eternal heritage of treasure beyond imagination.

Spurgeon urges his readers to run to mercy’s door and ask large things of our generous Lord. He encourages me to spread all my needs, even my wants, before the Lord. I am not to be bashful or hesitant about this, nor hindered by unbelief. Jesus said it — and He meant it.

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Oh Lord, You know how easily I come to You with a list of my I-wants, even so sure of Your ear that I forget to praise You as I ought. I know and am grateful for Your grace and generosity. You have taken care of my needs since that first day when You came knocking at the door of my heart. Since that day, my requests have changed. Some are still personal, but many are for the spiritual well-being of Your people (which You promise to fulfill) and the salvation of those not yet standing at Your door. As I pray, I know that You care for those in need far more than I do. Not only that, You can put a desire in their heart to seek You and to ask You for the bread of life. May no one who sees Your gracious offer pass by and remain in need.

(photo credit)

Justified, a reason to party

Last night our children invited our friends to celebrate our wedding anniversary with us. The house was full of people, laughter and good food. It was a great night, but too short. People had to go home and we stayed much later than sane people should stay up. I don’t normally go for a ‘short’ devotional time, but this morning, God gives me something to think about that is simple and straightforward. 

Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man (Jesus) forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. (Acts 13:38–39)

The word translated “freed” in the ESV is literally “justified” which is not as easily understood. Some explain it by saying that God treats those who believe in Jesus Christ “just as if I’d” never sinned. Spurgeon explains it well and restate it in my words.

Justification is the result of faith and was given to me the moment Christ came into my life, the same moment I accepted Him — and He is all that I need to save me from sin. I was and am fully justified, no less than all those who now wear white robes and are with God in heaven. The thief on the cross was fully justified the moment that he turned in faith to Jesus. Paul was fully justified the moment Jesus encountered him on the road to Damascus. 

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

God accepted me the moment Christ took me into His kingdom by faith. I am pardoned fully, all past, present and future sin is put under the blood of Christ. I stand accepted in His sight as though I had never been guilty.

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Lord, last night we joyfully celebrated a milestone in our marriage. What a delightful time You gave us. Yet as I read this and think about being justified, this becomes an even greater joy to my heart. Because of Your grace, the joy and freedom of eternity are already mine. It started the day Jesus came into my heart. For those of us who believe, this justification is a current reason to celebrate. It is also our future hope and expectation that when we step from this life through the door to heaven, the party will go into full swing and never stop.

To Live is Christ — the Bread of Life

Almost every time we pray before a meal, we offer thanks for the blessing of God’s abundant provision. I ought to do the same every time I open the refrigerator door or go into my pantry. The Lord is generous as He gives us our “daily bread.”

Actually, I bake our bread most of the time, but on occasion we buy bread at a store or bakery. The price can range from a dollar “on special” to five dollars or more a loaf. I’ve not figured the cost to make it, but even then, bread is not free.

In the Bible, bread was both an important part of Israel’s worship and a symbol. Old Testament sacrifices included bread. Ritualistic Showbread was placed weekly in the Jew’s place of worship, then removed at the end of the week and eaten by the priests. The showbread symbolized God’s presence with His people.

After the Israelites fled from their bondage in Egypt, God fed them with Manna that fell miraculously from heaven. They also remembered this Exodus annually by eating unleavened bread for seven days.

In the New Testament, Satan tempted Jesus who had been fasting. He said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’ ” (Matthew 4:3–4).

Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” which could be a request for physical food, but also spiritual nourishment. He called Himself “the true bread from heaven,” “the bread of God,” “the bread of life” and “the bread which came down from heaven.” John 6:51 says,

I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.

Symbolically, Jesus is my heavenly manna, the spiritual and supernatural nourishment given by my heavenly Father and available to all who open their hearts to Him. (See Revelation 2:17.)  Jesus used this symbol on the night before His crucifixion also as an invitation.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body’ (Matthew 26:26).

By offering His body, Jesus was not only the sacrificial Lamb slain for sin, but also the Showbread of God’s presence. He is the Bread of Life for His people. We may eat of Him and with Him, finding in Him forgiveness of sin and eternal life. In keeping with the symbolism of bread and eternal life, Isaiah 55:1-2 offers the same invitation as Jesus offered. 

Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.

The Bread of Life gives me life, spiritual nourishment, satisfaction, and delight. Best of all, this Bread is without price — freely available to all who come to Jesus and ask for it.