Calvary Chapel of Jonesboro

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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Burning Foreheads, Enemies, and the Gospel Displayed

09/03/2012

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If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For you will heap burning coals on his head, And the Lord will reward you.   Proverbs 25:21-22
 
Here is a proverb that is usually misunderstood because of the phrase that is used in it.  The phrase to which I refer is where we are told that we will "heap burning coals on his head," when we are kind to our enemy.  Of course, our intial thought is by doing good to our enemy - we will burn his head or melt it.  Heaping burning coals on someone usually has that effect - scorching their head.  But the phrase that is used does not mean this.  It actually is a phrase that speaks of blessing another.  Let's take a look at this phrase and how it counsels the wise man to act toward his enemies.  
 
The call for the wise man is to give his enemy food when he is hungry and water if he is thirsty.  The reason he is to do this is to act with mercy and with love - even toward someone who considers him an enemy.  This is a way that the world sees that we are radically different than they are.  We do not seek revenge on our enemies, but rather to show mercy - even as we have been shown mercy by God.  It is important for us to remember that at one time we were enemies with God.  He did not pour out his wrath upon us, rather He gave us mercy and grace.  He had His wrath poured out upon His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ - and instead gives us grace to be made righteous in His sight.  Therefore the call to be merciful and loving toward our enemies is a call to be like God Himself.
 
The problem comes when we look at why we do this.  The passage says that by doing this we will pour burning coals upon our enemies - upon their foreheads.  When we do this, God rewards us for acting in this way.  One view of this is that conviction is in order - and that is what happens when the burning coals are put on our enemies.  Thus this phrase is seen as judgment on them - because let's be honest - who wants their forehead burned up with burning coals?  But the phrase used here is a Hebraism - a Hebrew expression they would understand - but we would not.  
 
The picture here is of a very loving, very merciful deed toward our enemies.  The idea here is of placing coals that are already hot into a clay pot or some other kind of insulated container.  That container would then be carried, often on the head, to the person's fire pit, which has been extinguished.  They would then take the coals and re-ignite their fire so that they could cook their food.  This was a very loving and merciful act on their behalf, because it was not an easy thing to have a fire of coals lit for someone.  This act of mercy and love would be very beneficial to the enemy - and would help to melt their hardened heart against the one who acted with such grace.  
 
The wise man knows that winning an enemy is a difficult thing.  He also knows that prolonging a fight is not to his advantage unless there is no way to reach his enemy - or his enemy is actively seeking to destroy him.  In these cases one must defend himself.  But if possible it is better to win over your enemy.  There is a picture of this in the book of 2 Kings in the life of Elisha.  The king of Aram was furious that Elisha could predict by God's power everywhere the Arameans would prepare to attack Israel.  In a rage he sent his entire army to kill Elisha.  As the army approached Elisha prayed that they would all be struck blind.  Then he led them into Samaria where Israel could destroy them.  But look at what God led them to do - and the result.  
 
"When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.  Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”  He answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.”  So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel."  It would have been easy to destroy the Arameans, but instead God led Elisha to counsel them to feed them with a feast.  When they did so - it made their enemies turn away from their destrutive ways - and they no longer sent marauding bands into Israel any longer.  Remember this, for it is wisdom of the highest order, mercy triumphs over judgment.  Therefore God paid the judgment, and showed us mercy in Christ.  Oh that we would be wise enough to do the same with our enemies.  When we do, they will see a glorious display of the very gospel that is at the heart of what God is and does among men.
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What Are We Setting Loose Upon Ourselves? Proverbs 13:21

12/13/2011

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Adversity pursues sinners, But the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. Proverbs 13:21

When we sin, we are setting loose a nemesis who will hunt us down to bring us the adversity that our sin produces. That is a rather disconcerting thought - but still one that is true. When we decide to depart from the Lord for a period to pursue the fleeting pleasures of sin, we are paving with our own hands the road that adversity and retribution will walk to our door. This is why the wise man considers the end of a choice before he makes it.

Consider David in regard to this matter. He thought he was only lingering on the sight of Batsheba bathing for a lustful look. He did not know that the look would lead to a desire which would lead to a choice to bring her to his chambers. He did not know that this choice would lead to adultery with another man's wife - which would lead to a pregnancy that promised a scandal in the kingdom. He did not know that asking her husband to return from battle would lead to seeing Uriah's character and godliness far exceed his own. He did not know that this would lead to his order to have Uriah killed by the hand of the Ammonites as he reacted in panic about what to do. He had no idea that all of this would lead to a year of his life spent in spiritual agony as the Holy Spirit convicted him of his sin - and drained him of life itself. He couldn't even imagine that his little look - his brief indiscretion of lust would lead to two dead sons, a raped daughter, and 10 women locked away as widows for life. He did not see in his departure from pure eyes that several men would be killed with Uriah at the wall - and that thousands would die in a battle between himself and his rebellious son. If anything David thought this "little look" might result in a brief departure from God's will. He had no idea that he was paving a superhighway for adversity, pain, and regret that would last for many years to come. He was clueless that in that moment he was releasing a beast that would pursue him relentlessly until adversity would nearly overwhelm him as he trudged up a mountainside, cursed by a fool, and feeling that he was one because of the sin that had finally caught up with him. Indeed adversity pursues sinners.

We are not left hopeless though with this proverb. We are also reminded that the righteous will be rewarded with prosperity. David was pursued with adversity by his sin - but he was also blessed for his godly obedience. He deserved death for his transgressions, yet God showed him mercy. He was able to amass tremendous riches and wealth for the construction of the temple during the time of his son Solomon. He was blessed not just during his time on earth - but for all time by the fact that one of his descendents would be the Messiah. There is tremendous blessing that will come to the godly.

There is no better illustration of this than the gospel message itself. We read here that "the righteous" will be rewarded. Yet our problem is that we are sinners - not righteous. There is no way we can be righteous by our works or by God's law. But when we were helpless Christ died for the ungodly. He can make us righteous - having been the One who became sin for us - so that we might be made righteous because of God's gift of salvation. Because of the gospel we are righteous in God's sight - but only because a gift of God's grace was bestowed on us when we responded in repentance and faith to the gospel message. Our passge here reminds us that the righteous will be rewarded with "prosperity." The word for prosperity here means entering into a wholeness and restored relationship with God. Too many think prosperity means money and wealth - but we must remember that the greatest riches we can have are those that come in spiritual blessings arising from a renewed relationship with God.

We face one of two choices - which results in one of two ends. We can choose sin and rebellion which sets off a chase in which the sinner or rebel will be hunted down for a visit from adversity. We can also choose to embrace God's way of righteousness through the gospel. This will set off a much different kind of pursuit. This sets in motion the grace of God working in us throughout out lives here on earth. His grace will bless us with spiritual prosperity here on earth - but also will culminate with His blessing on the day of judgment as well. The wise man knows that sin and rebellion set loose the hounds of adversity. That is why he chooses instead to set loose the spirit of blessing in his life by the gospel.
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How to Lend God Money - Proverbs 19:17

06/07/2011

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One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed. Proverbs 19:17

How can anyone ever lend money to God?  That sounds impossible since the Lord owns the cattle on the thousand hills and all the wealth that anyone could ever imagine.  Yet the Scriptures make it clear here that when we are gracious to the poor we are leading to Jehovah.  Let's take a closer look at this - and at the blessing that comes from being gracious and kind to those who are poor. 

When we give to the poor we are being very wise.  We are making an investment that will bless us in the end.  Lending to anyone is a risky endeavor because lending wisely is based on their ability to repay us.  Yet when we are gracious to the poor by giving to them, we are told that we are giving a loan to God.  His ability to repay is infinite - therefore this is an investment that will pay wonderful dividends.  If there were ever a sure bet when it comes to lending policy - this is it.  Being gracious to the poor means showing them mercy.  The idea behind this word is that we are showing a kind act to someone in need.  Since this refers to the poor, the idea of gracious giving is implied.  We read in 1 John that part of the love of God in us is giving to someone who has a need instead of just wishing them well and leaving them to hope for the best. 

The promise here is very clear.  When we are gracious in lending and giving to the poor, we will be repaid from the Lord Himself.  The good deed of giving to the poor is noticed by the Lord.  We are told that the man who is gracious to the poor will be happy (Prov 14:21).  The one generous to the poor by giving him some of his food, God promises will be blessed (Prov 22:9).  We are also told that the one who gives to the poor will never want (Prov 28:27).  These are all very clear promises of God that we should take seriously when we face situations where we can either show mercy upon the poor - or close our hearts to them.  The rich man in the gospels would warn us that shutting our hearts to the poor like Lazarus who sat at his gate is an act that will cost us dearly in the end.  May God give us the wisdom to act on opportunities to provide for the poor.  The benefits of such kindness are beyond our ability to comprehend.  May we abound with such kindness and secure great blessing!
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