My Daily Pause

A combination of some things have me thinking about my giving:

• I am planning my goals for the new year, which begins in less than 60 days!
• I am working on the church budget over my areas of responsibility
• I have been assigned to pray over the offering during services this month.

When we look at God’s instructions to the Israelites concerning their giving and charity, He expected a lot out them! Most people would answer the question “How much?” with 10%, but when we read deeper, the net amount was much more. Farmers couldn’t cut the corners of the field, glean the crops or even pick up what they had dropped. If it weren’t for that, Ruth would have never met Boaz. In fact if the Jews had totally followed the spirit of the law, their nation would never have wanted for anything.

In New Testament times, we don’t have exact amounts assigned to give, but we can see from the Jews example what God considers reasonable. There are also a number of adverbs used to describe what our giving is supposed to look like. I challenge us all to compare our giving to each of these passages:

• Liberally – Luke 6:38
• Sacrificially – Hebrews 13:16
• Cheerfully – 2 Corinthians 9:7
• Purposefully – 2 Corinthians 9:7
• Secretly – Matthew 6:3-4

There are always plenty of needs and more we can do. What can we do to stop money from being the reason we fall short?

Daily Bible reading for November 4

Psalm 95
2 Kings 4
Zechariah 8
John 1:19-51

In an effort to improve their search engine results, Google has been increasing emphasis on the authorship of blog posts and deemphasizing methods that have allowed people to trick their way to the top of the results. This is good because we can have more confidence that the content is from honest effort and not rigged to sell advertising.

God is looking for his followers to build that same kind of recognition. When James said to “let your yes be yes and your no be no” (James 5:12) he wasn’t just worried about correcting a habit of making idle oaths. It is possible to build a reputation among our peers so that we will be taken at our word.

When Jesus gave the same instruction, (Matthew 5:33-37) he was talking to folks who had circumvented the 9^th commandment to the point they could tell lies without remorse. Can you imagine trying to function day-to-day where people would require you to swear an oath before believing anything you say?

Solomon said that a fly spoils the ointment (Ecclesiastes 10:1) as does each impure action to our reputations. Those who live in a way that builds a great reputation do not have to worry about any prohibition against taking an idle oath. They have the freedom to speak using the faith and credit of their word.

Daily Bible reading for November 1

Psalm 92
2 Kings 1
Zechariah 5
James 4:11-5:12

I’ve heard Christians lift the last bit of James 4:2, “you have not because you ask not”, for use as a reminder to pray. I’m not so sure that’s what James meant there in the middle of warning the people against unruly passions and desires.

It probably has more to do with the fact that the tendency to become worldly extinguishes the desire to pray. It’s even more likely God has quit listening anyway. The way people wind up on that path is they…

• want more and more
• become overly proud
• covet things they didn’t even know they wanted

Sometimes there might be prayer, but it is a vain attempt because the heart isn’t right. (James 4:3)

That’s not to say one can get in the right state and get a positive answer to every prayer. We have to remember that “No” is an answer too. The Bible has a number of hints on how to get God to hear our prayers:

• He hears the cry of righteousness (Psalm 34:15)
• He hears the call of truth (Psalm 145:18)
• He hears those who are humbled (Luke 18:14)
• He hears those speaking in the Lord’s name (John 14:13)
• He hears those who believe in what they ask (Mark 11:24)
• He hears those asking according to his will (1 John 5:14)

The common denominator of all of these is that they require us to quit our friendship with the world. The more we wish for and put effort into worldly pleasures, the farther we remove ourselves from God. James compares those who do that to adulterers. (James 4:4)

So draw near to God. (James 4:8a)

The way Christ put it, we need to be in a continuous effort of seeking, asking and knocking if we expect the Lord to hear us. (Matthew 7:7-8)

Daily Bible reading for October 31

Psalm 91
1 Kings 22:41-53
Zechariah 4
James 4:1-10

Previously we considered the great responsibility of Bible teachers and the powerful position they are in. Depending on their words, they can set the course of another person’s salvation.

Although James 3:1 starts the chapter with a warning to teachers, James 3:18 ends it with the wonderful result of a Bible teachers work: “a harvest of righteousness sown in peace.” Many of us who were raised in the church can remember our Sunday school teachers. I can even remember where I was when I learned some of my Old Testament History: the walls of Jericho, Samson and Delilah, David and Goliath ….

It is the work of those teachers that helped get me where I am now.

It is very challenging to be a teacher, but the greatest challenge may be maintaining a proper attitude. A combination of things from the mood of the class to the ultimate goals of the teacher have an impact on the students. If you read and study James 3:13-18, you see exactly what I mean.

Wisdom born from jealousy and ambition leads down the false path. James spent a lot of time in chapter 3 showing us how powerful the tongue is. Misusing it bears the fruit of disorder and other vile things.

Wisdom born from meekness is “from above” and is demonstrated in good works. Those works look like the seven or eight things listed in James 3:17. Topping that list is purity and peace. Jesus said that the peacemakers will be called the sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)

That, fellow Bible teachers, is why we do it. Despite the warning of stricter judgment, teachers of God’s word are in the highest office offered in this lifetime – they are the peacemakers and therefore the candidates to be God’s children! The next time you have the opportunity to teach a Bible class, take it on knowing the church depends on your work.

Daily Bible reading for October 30

Psalm 90
1 Kings 22:1-40
Zechariah 3
James 3:13-18

How do we make sense out of James saying that not many should be teachers (James 3:1) and Paul telling everyone to be teachers? (2 Timothy 2:2)

First, since James 3 is all about the tongue and its power, it goes to follow that teachers are going to wield a great deal of influence. As a result, the Bible teacher is going to be judged with some extra scrutiny. (James 3:1b) This is not meant to be a determent from teaching, but a caution to be ready to teach sound doctrine.

Second, being a teacher might have been one of the ways church members used to gain honor. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, we see that teachers were ranked third on the list before miracles and right after prophets. In the worship style of the first century (1 Corinthians 14:26-40) A number of people might stand up to talk and teach. Some might have tried to take on the honor of teaching when they were not ready.

Since there are no more apostles, prophets or miracles, we are left with teachers of the word. It is an office that needs to be taken on with great care and reverence. Being a teacher isn’t always right for everyone at a given time, but it is an honor and a requirement that we should all seek.

Teachers: Strive always to use right words and wise warnings (Proverbs 25:11-12)

Daily Bible reading for October 29

Psalm 89
1 Kings 21
Zechariah 1:18-2:13
James 3:1-12