Calvary Chapel of Jonesboro

Robbin' Dad and Mom . . . not good!  Proverbs 28:24

11/08/2012

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He who robs his father or his mother and says, “It is not a transgression,” is the companion of a man who destroys.   Proverbs 28:24

At first glance this proverb seems a little severe.  Who would rob his father and mother - and then assert that he had not sinned.  Yet this proverb is lived out again and again in our cities and towns as children wnat that their parents have - and resort to robbery and even destruction to obtain it.

I had the sad priviledge of watching my mother's family almost disintegrate due to a dispute about the inheritance and the dividing of furniture and possessions when the homestead was separated to the children.  This is one of the ways that this proverb is seen in our world.  A greed for and a sense of entitlement to a parent's wealth will lead children to do horrific things to their parents.  Lizzie Borden killed her father and step-mother by hacking them to death with an ax.  This unfathomable action took place because Lizzie and her sister feared that their father was about to change his will and keep them from his riches, which they had wrongly assmed were theirs.  In this way we see that this kind of greed which seeks to steal what belongs to father and mother is a companion of a man who destroys.

The other way I see this passage fulfilled is in our current drug culture.  Those who get hooked on drugs will do anything to get them.  They will even steal from their parents to get their next fix.  Often, when confronted about their behavior, the drug addict will bitterly state that they should get what their parents have - even absolving themselves of responsibility of stealing from them.  The booty they take from their parents is then poured down a hole as they buy more drugs and exhaust what they've stolen on another temporary high.  Following this sordid path has led to numerous overdoses by these drug enslaved chidlren.  Their robbery leads to their destruction. 

The wise man knows that two of the commandments of God are to honor one's parents as well as not steal.  When they ignore these commandments and do as they see fit, they put themselves on a path toward destruction.  Sin in David's household led to such a demise for Absalom.  Embittered over his sister's rape at the hands of a half brother - he felt he had a right to first kill his brother - then to steal the kingdom from David - then to rape 10 of his father's concubines in front of all Israel.  His last act of rebellion was to gather an army which he himself led to find and kill his father.  All the robbery of this bitter young man was a companion of what would eventually destroy him.  Caught in an oak tree by his own hair - hanging between earth and heaven with his failed attack falling apart all around him - his life ended with a man thrusting a spear through his heart.  Oh that we would learn from such horrific cautionary history, and honor our parents.  Our parents are not perfect - but they are ones God has given us to teach us ultimately to honor Him.  To do otherwise is to put yourself in a direct collision course with the one who will destroy your life.  Therefore learn to bless and not curse your parents.  If they have failed you in some way or another - learn from the grace God has given you - and love them with affection born of mercy.  

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Who and What are You Working For?  Proverbs 27:18

10/09/2012

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 He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, And he who cares for his master will be honored.
Proverbs 27:18

Today's proverb will instruct us on how to be blessed by your master or your employer. For those who lived as slaves in the day in which this proverb was written, it applied to those who cared for their masters. In our day, when slavery is not practiced as it was in Biblical days, it refers to our relationship with our employers - of for that matter - anyone under whose authority we find oursevles.

The picture used here is that of someone who is tending a fig tree. The one who does this task will get to eat from the fruit of the fig tree. There may be an encouragment here to serve over a long period of time, due to the fact that a fig tree is a tree that lives a long time. It is also one that matures rather slowly. A great reminder for us who have been conditioned to think a certain way in our "fast-food" society. We think if we serve a week, or month, or even a year or two, we should be rewarded richly. The use of the fig tree should point us to faithful service over the long haul - not just a few weeks, months, or years. When we serve faithfully over a long period of time - our master or employer will consider us worthy to be honored. This is especially the case with wise employers.

The word used for "cares" in the second part of this verse is the Hebrew word "samar." This is a word that means to watch over, keep, preserve, or guard. The idea is not of grudging service. It points to a careful watchfulness. IT refers to those who pay closer attention to what their master needs. It also reminds us that this kind of "care" is not done with a bitter, resentful heart. It is done with a loving watchcare.

There is another reason to live this way towards those in authority over us. When we do this, we are leaving the sweet savory aroma of Christ with them. They watch how we love and serve them - and wonder at what it is that motivates us to live as we do. There will most likely be some kind of reward or blessing for that hard work - but there will be something far more valuable than silver, gold, or awards. There will be the questions that we can answer as they ask, "Why do you work harder than anyone else? Why is it that you work this way without complaining? Why do you live this way - with such a different work ethic as well as a desire to honor me as your employer?" These are the questions that they should be asking as we work as unto God in their business. When they do ask, our reply will be first to give glory to God for our work ethic - and then to turn to the gospel whereby our hearts were transformed to be different than the rest of the world. You see, our work ethic - our willingness to work as unto God - our desire to care for our master/employer with love and hard work - are all for the purpose of glorifying God and the gospel of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. So . . . let me ask you in closing - through your work ethic have you glorified God today? Has how you worked made a way for the gospel that has changed your heart? You see, we do not work to bless our master for the reward of his favor alone. We work for our Lord and Master first and foremost for the glory of His grace and mercy. The fact that our earthly master notices and rewards us are just perks that come as we live to make much of our Heavenly Master.

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Be Wise - Love Your Mama! Proverbs 15:20

01/31/2012

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A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.   Proverbs 15:20

At first look this proverb might look a little prejudiced, giving dad all the gladness and mom the pleasure of being despised by the foolish son.  Yet the proverb actually reveals some interesting things to us about children and how they affect both parents as they grow older and make choices according to the way that we have taught them. 

One would think this proverb is about parents and their reward for rearing godly children, but it is not.  It is rather a proverb dealing with children - and is a warning to them.  First, we see that a wise son makes his father glad.  When you see a son who is wise, he is going to be the delight of both parents, but especially his dad.  He will speak glowingly of his boy, not because of all his achievements, but rather because he acts with wisdom in all his ways.  You can have a very successful son in the eyes of the world, and still have a child who is a fool.  Many fortunes have been won then lost because a young man is filled with business savvy, but has no wisdom in the way he lives with the riches he amasses.  A wise son, though not rich or wealthy, is such a delight to his father.  He watches his boy make good decisions - to love his wife and his children.  He watches as his boy makes decisions according to the wisdom his father has taught him - both his earthly and heavenly Father that is. 

Our proverb turns to the mother though, and refers to how her foolish son treats her.  The passage says that he despises her.  The word for "despises" is the Hebrew word "bazah" which means to hold in contempt and disdain; to consider worthless or vile.  It is quite a strong word and it indicates a child who is very foolish because he does not appreciate his mother.  He holds her in contempt even though she has loved him  and cared for him.  Many a foolish boy is ashamed of his mother - and cringes when she shows him love openly.  Such a young man will not be blessed in his life, because he disdains one of the choicest servants he will ever know.  In despising his mother like this, he disains his father on earth - her husband, and he disains his Father in heaven - her maker and the One who gave her to him. 

How a child views his mother has much to say about his heart.  The child who is more concerned with looking cool to his friends will treat his mother with contempt and disdain.  He breaks her heart often - even though she continues to serve and love him.  This young man has no humility or gratefulness, which will come back to haunt him later in life.  He spurns her wisdom for the opinions of his foolish friends.  Solomon's son did this with his father's advisors and watched his kingdom split as a result. 

Oh, young man - and honestly, even older men.  Treasure the mother that God gave you as one of His choicest gifts.  Openly acknowledge her to others and praise her before your friends.  I often tell people that when a young man courts your daughter, pay close attention to how he treats his mother.  You are watching in that how he will one day treat your daughter.  When a man cannot love and honor and treasure his mom, you are looking at a fool.  That fool will not prosper in ways that matter for eternity - you can bank on the Word of God that this will be true.  Therefore fathers, teach your sons by your actions and attitudes to honor their mothers - to thank them for all that they have done for them.  Teach them that this is practice for having a prosperous and delightful marriage.  If they cannot treasure the woman who they can see - how will they be ready to treasure one they have not seen yet?

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