|
|
|
Do you think of religion in terms of blessings and benefits or in terms of sacrifice and cost?
If one is not careful he will be more attuned to what he can get than what he can give. The
"what can you do for me" attitude has crippled the Lord's church in many communities. The
attitude and example of Christ as He lived on earth is easy to discern. As Matthew stated,
"even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his
life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
It is a Bible truth that "whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning" (Romans 15:4). In Second Samuel 24 the story is recorded of David's plight. David sinned against God by numbering the people of Israel, but a penitent heart enabled him to seek forgiveness and confess the error of his way. God's punishment was to send "a pestilence upon Israel" that killed 70,000 men (v. 15). While David grieved over the tragedy he had caused, God instructed Gad to tell David to "rear an altar unto Jehovah in the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite" (v. 18 ASV) to stop the plague. Araunah generously offers to give David all that is required to make the sacrifice. David replied, "Nay; but I will verily buy it of thee at a price. Neither will I offer burnt-offerings unto Jehovah my God which cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver" (v. 24 ASV). David recognized the truth that his service and worship to God was personal and costly. He was not interested in a cheap approach to sacred matters. Araunah could not provide what David needed to provide, and neither could Araunah do what David needed to do. Each follower of God must be willing to pay the price to worship and serve Him. It is as Jesus said, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23 ASV). Is it not amazing the number of those who profess to be Christians who do not have time to work in any way within the kingdom? Many congregations have to beg for teachers because not many are willing to teach. It is rare to find those who are willing to visit newcomers, the sick, or those with special needs without being prompted. Men are needed to help serve by leading in prayer and assisting at the Lord's table, but some never prepare themselves to do so. Some members are so sporadic in attendance that it is anyone's guess as to when they will assemble with the saints. It does require both sacrifice and time to be of benefit to the Lord or man. Most are familiar with what is called the story of the "Good Samaritan." A human being was in need but neither a priest nor a Levite would "pay the price" required to stop and render aid. The Samaritan was a busy person on a trip, but he recognized his responsibility to give of his time and means to help. The message of Jesus was, "Go, and do thou likewise" (Luke 10:37). The priest and the Levite may have been long on talk but they were short on action. Even though many who are Christians profess to not believe in the false doctrine of "faith only," one has to wonder if such is really the case. James says, "Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith" (James 2:18 ASV). It is only by one's works that his faith can be demonstrated. The message could not be clearer: "faith apart from works is dead" (James 2:26). What is a religion worth that requires no cost? God gave His Son (John 3:16) and Christ gave His life (Romans 5:8) to purchase the church (Acts 20:28). How can one who is a Christian convince himself that God will be pleased to accept in worship and service that which has cost nothing? David realized that Araunah could not do for him what he himself was responsible for doing. No one can assemble with the saints each Lord's Day for you. No one can worship for you. No one can sing for you. No one can partake of the Lord's Supper for you. No one can serve in the Lord's vineyard for you. No one can demonstrate your faith for you. Each member of the body must do his or her part in the kingdom. If one is truly seeking first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33), he will not offer God the mere scraps of his life. In regard to Christ and His church, is that which costs us nothing worth anything? David was willing to admit his sins and do what was required to correct them. Are we willing to do likewise? We must prepare to pay the price to go to Heaven. Let us resolve to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to be found walking in the light of God's Word (cf. 1 John 1:7). |