Being Faithful Stewards of What We Don’t ‘Own’

When we hear someone speaking about money – a preacher, radio ministry, or TV evangelist – many of us have the same reflexive reaction: We reach protectively for our wallets, literally or figuratively. ‘It’s my money, and don’t tell me what I’m supposed to do with it!’

However, if we believe what the Bible says, we realize it’s really not ‘my money.’ One passage in particular makes this clear: “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and earth belongs to You. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of all. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).

 

And that’s not an isolated statement. In another passage, God declares, “I have no need for a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills…. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it” (Psalm 50:10,12). As someone has said, if God needed anything, He could just sell one of the cows.

 

The Scriptures teach that rather than being owners, we’re stewards or managers of the resources the Lord entrusts to us. In one of His many parables, Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:14-30 told the story of a man preparing to take a long journey. Before leaving, he called his servants together and put his property into their care. He gave to one of them five talents of money, another two talents, and to a third he gave one talent. Perhaps based on his confidence in their management capabilities.

 

Sure enough, the first two servants invested the money and earned a substantial gain, while the third simply dug a hole and buried the single talent he’d been given. Upon returning, the master met with the servants to see how they had handled the money. The first showed he had put his five talents to work, earning five more, while the second had added two talents to what he’d been entrusted with.

 

Both were praised by the master who said, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things; I will put you in charge of many things….” Their diligence would be rewarded. The third servant, however, had only the lone talent to return to his master, who wasn’t happy. At the very least, he said, “you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.”

 

The principle behind this parable is one we can apply not only to money, but also to the skills, gifts and experience God has entrusted us with, as well as time and opportunities He sends our way. As the apostle Paul instructed followers of Jesus in ancient Corinth, “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).

 

This is the real test of how we handle ‘our money.’ Are we being faithful in how we use it, seeking to spend it wisely and not frivolously or wastefully? And also exhibiting generosity, especially when presented with needs of others that we can help to meet? 

 

It’s the giving part that many of us struggle with the most. Admittedly, with so many worthwhile causes deserving of support, it can put us into a quandary trying to determine where our contributions should go. That can be a matter of prayer, but the Scriptures tell us what’s most important is our attitude. “Each one must [give] as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). He doesn’t want us grumbling as we write checks or enter our credit card numbers.

 

But along with the importance of obedience and having a cheerful, generous spirit, there’s another motivation for our charitable giving. God promises to bless us for it.

 

In Proverbs 3:9-10 we’re instructed to, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, and the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.” If we’re faithful to give as God guides, we won’t need to worry about running short in our ability to meet our own needs. The apostle Paul offered this assurance: “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

 

I remember interviewing Stanley Tam, a philanthropist known for giving much more than the 10 percent tithe that’s often debated in Christian circles. In fact, he reversed it – giving away 90 percent of his income and retaining only 10 percent. How could he do such a thing? It was easy, he explained: “I shovel it out, and God shovels it in. And the Lord has a bigger shovel.”

 

Benefits from giving shouldn’t be confined to a material perspective. The Bible doesn’t guarantee if we donate $10 that we’ll get $10 or more in return. What we can count on are blessings beyond a financial measurement. Jesus taught, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). When we give to worthy causes, the recipients aren't the only beneficiaries; we also experience the joy of being part of God’s plan to helping others.

When we get over the idea of it being ‘our money’ and recognize God is trusting us with His resources, we’re freed up from a lot of worry and can worship the One “from whom all blessings flow,” in the words of the Doxology. 

The Simple Truth About Sowing and Reaping

Remember the time-worn adage, “You reap what you sow”? Did you ever think maybe that’s not exactly true? Because in reality, we always reap more than what we sow. 

 

Imagine a farmer who was sowing corn and planning to reap the exact same amount that he had sown? For example, he planted 1,000 kernels of corn. Then, when harvest season arrived he went out and expected to reap 1,000 more kernels of corn? Ridiculous, right? Maybe 1,000 ears of corn – or more – covered with kernels.

 

When a farmer sows a field, whether it’s corn, soybeans, wheat or any other crop, the anticipation is for an abundant harvest, a crop that multiplies many times the amount of seed that originally was sown. So, the truth is whatever we’re sowing, we reap more than we sow. Much more.

 

Reading the Bible we often come across agricultural metaphors, which is understandable since the Scriptures were written originally to people living in a predominantly agrarian society. This is why we often come across references to seeds, cultivating, sowing, harvesting, producing fruit, and other such things. God uses these ‘visual aids’ as tangible ways for illustrating His truth.

 

Many of us have little or no experience with farming, other than having driven past farms while traveling. However, the teachings and principles we find in the Bible using agricultural examples are as valid today as they were thousands of years ago. Still, why is this matter of sowing and reaping important for us today?

 

If we take even a quick glance at our world today, it’s clear there’s a lot of ‘sowing’ going on – much of it not good. For instance, the seeds of discord which seem to be ripping our society apart. Seeds of anger are manifesting a ripe crop of conflict, hatred, hopelessness and despair. Seeds of malevolence in all of its many forms have grown into crops of evil that were unimaginable just decades ago.

 

A fairly obscure book in the Bible’s Old Testament, Hosea, presents some interesting insights into the process of sowing and reaping. Affirming the idea that we actually reap much more than we sow, Hosea 8:7 warns, “For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind….” No one wants to be around when a gentle breeze turns into a tornado. But the prophet also offers a more hopeful observation: “Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love…” (Hosea 10:12). 

 

We find a similar statement in Proverbs 11:8, “The wicked man earns an empty wage, but he who sows righteousness reaps a true reward.” And in the New Testament book of James, which parallels Proverbs in terms of its emphasis on wisdom, we read, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness” (James 3:18). Sowing the seeds of peace and righteousness – we could do with a lot more of that these days.

 

From an individual perspective, every day we’re sowing something: It might be seeds resulting in what Galatians 5:23 calls “the fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Or we might be sowing the antitheses of those virtues, including hatred, unrest, selfishness, anger and chaos.

 

Later in the same book we find a strong exhortation – and a warning. “Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7-8).

 

We’re tempted at times – I know that I am – to ‘scream and shout and dance about’ in frustration over things that are transpiring in our world. When it seems there’s nothing we can do about them, we feel at least we can say (or scream) something – on social media, in emails, in heated conversations. But the Scriptures suggest an alternative approach: 

 

If we’re upset, instead of spewing anger and malice, we can do as Psalm 126:5-6 admonishes: “Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.” 

 

And we can pray, appealing to God to intervene and exert His sovereign control. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:4-6). 

 

Can you imagine what a rich harvest we can reap from sowing prayers of joy and thanksgiving as we earnestly submit our cares and concerns to the Lord?

Never Being Abandoned or Forsaken

Hearing the word ‘abandoned,’ what comes to mind? Maybe a long-cherished dream being abandoned when it no longer seems attainable? Or perhaps the image of a car abandoned by its driver after it becomes stuck in a flooded roadway? Most often we think of being abandoned in a relational sense.

 

We might hear a disturbing report about an infant that has been abandoned. Recently I read about a baby just days old that had been left in a car seat along a busy highway. A first responder driving by saw it and immediately stopped, putting the child in his vehicle and taking it to a safe place to receive care while authorities tried to identify and locate its mother. What possesses someone to forsake their own child in such a manner? 

 

Sadly, this isn’t the only kind of abandonment people experience. Long after memories of the ‘I do’s’ have faded, a husband abandons the wife of his youth. A father – or sometimes a mother – abandons their children, choosing instead the ‘pursuit of happiness,’ whatever they think that is. Family ties can be easily loosened for any number of reasons.

 

What about the BFF (best friend forever) who one day turns his or her back on us? Even in the workplace we might feel the pain of abandonment when told we’re no longer needed, forced into early retirement, or see long-expected promotion go to someone else. We can always count on people – until we can’t.

 

As a consequence, many folks go through their adult years with dysfunctional attitudes toward relationships. Personal experience has taught them that ‘everlasting love’ doesn’t last as long as one might suppose. For that reason, they’re reluctant to risk long-term commitments with anyone.

 

Most unfortunate is how such relational trauma can affect them spiritually. When hearing a sermon about their “heavenly Father,” instead of joy they feel only cynicism. They can’t help but relate that to an earthly father who abandoned them. If God is a Father, they reason, He’s probably just like their unfaithful dad, only bigger.

 

Perhaps this is why God’s promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” is repeated so many times in the Scriptures. He wants His children to know that no matter what, He will never abandon them.

 

We read this declaration in Deuteronomy 31:6, as Moses knows his time for leading the Israelites is nearing an end. Drawing from his own experience in depending on the Lord for more than 40 years, being delivered through one crisis after another, he urges them, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

 

Moses then spoke directly to his successor, Joshua, giving him the same assurance: “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8). 

 

After Moses died, to make sure Joshua hadn’t quickly forgotten this message, God reaffirmed His promise: “…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). And for emphasis, the Lord rephrased His promise as Joshua embraced the daunting task of leading the wayward Israelites: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

 

We find similar assurances repeated in both the Old and New Testaments. Having experienced God being with him as a shepherd boy warding off predators, a bold warrior taking on the giant Goliath, confronting the jealous hatred of King Saul, and then facing challenges to his throne as king of Israel, David knew the Lord wouldn’t abandon him. In his best-known psalm, he wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

 

As Solomon was preparing to succeed him as king, David echoed the words of Moses and others who had preceded Him: “[he] said to Solomon his son, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid of discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished’” (1 Chronicles 28:20).

 

Elsewhere in the Psalms we read, “…God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1). And the prophet Isaiah wrote often about God’s unwavering faithfulness to His people. Here are just two examples: 

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). 

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2).

 

Just moments before ascending to heaven, Jesus Christ found it important to quell any fears of abandonment among His disciples. After giving them His commission to “go and make disciples of all nations…,” He promised, “And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

 

Without question, God’s faithfulness is a major point of emphasis in the Scriptures. As it should be. In times of adversity – serious illness, family challenges, financial hardship, or other crises – we’re tempted to wonder, “Lord, are you there?” Especially for the many who have experienced abandonment by spouses, parents, or others they had trusted, the Lord wants us to know that when He promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” His 'never' means…never. For now – and for eternity.

What Other People Think is Important, But Not That Important

Do you ever lose sleep wondering what other people think of you? I’m reminded of the sage who advised, “Don’t worry about what people are thinking about you – because most of the time, they’re not thinking about you at all.” (The guy was Hawaiian, so this deserves … a low-ha.)

 

Most of us do wonder what people think of us, at least to some extent. When entering a room, we’d like to make people smile, happy because we’re there, rather than see them turn the other way, or briefly glance toward us and mumble something to each other in hushed tones. We’d like people to think well of us, but how important is that? How important should it be? 

 

The Bible offers numerous examples that help in answering those questions. But one in particular comes to mind. Among the saddest statements in the entire Bible concerns Jehoram, who had succeeded his father Jehoshaphat as king of Judah, which had separated from the other tribes of Israel. First, here’s some context:

 

Of Jehoshaphat, the Scriptures tell us, “He walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 20:32). For the most part it seems he was an upstanding individual, as was Asa before him.

 

However, Jehoram had a very different character, choosing not to build on the righteous legacies of Asa and Jehoshaphat. Instead, “He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel…. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 21:6). He became Judah’s king at the age of 32 and reigned in Jerusalem for eight years.

 

This is where the sad part comes in. After contracting a terrible, incurable disease, Jehoram “passed away, to no one’s regret.” He was so despised, it says, he “was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings” (2 Chronicles 21:20). Unlike what was customary for the rulers of Judah, Jehoram wasn’t given a final resting place with the other kings. 

 

Worst of all, he died “to no one’s regret.” If his grave had a tombstone, the inscription might have read the Hebrew equivalent of “Good riddance!”

 

Many people would agree they’d like to think that when they leave this life, they’ve made the world a better place. In the case of Jehoram, apparently the only way he could make his world a better place was simply to leave.

 

The Bible doesn’t give many other details about Jehoram’s life. We know he married a daughter of Ahab, perhaps the worst king in the history of ancient Israel. Ahab’s described as doing “more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him” (1 Kings 16:33). His daughter wasn’t a positive influence on Jehoram, that’s pretty obvious. Maybe he was more concerned about what Ahab and the daughter thought about him than what the people of Judah thought. He definitely didn’t care what God thought about him.

 

What has this to say for us today? I doubt any of us want our legacy be that we died to no one’s regret. And the Bible teaches that having a good reputation has merit, as long as it’s based on the right things:

“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1).

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Proverbs 4:18).

“He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor” (Proverbs 21:21).

 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be known as someone whose manner of living is “like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day”? Much better than being known as a dark cloud, for sure. And if living a God-honoring life results in life, prosperity and honor, that’s something we can aspire to.

 

At the same time, the acclaim and commendation of others shouldn’t be our primary goal. For many, that can become a stumbling block. One day Jesus Christ warned His disciples as well as people in a large crowd that had gathered, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way” (Luke 6:26). To the contrary, He said, “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man” (Luke 6:22).

 

What’s most important, Jesus was saying, is not what people think of us but how we’re viewed in the eyes of God the Father. “Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1).

 

This affirmed a principle taught in the Old Testament, “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice” (Proverbs 21:3). The apostle Paul stated it another way: “…Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you” (Romans 12:3).

 

Having a good reputation and being viewed favorably by others is desirable, especially since we’re to be “Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20). As His representatives, we should exhibit honorable lives. 

Ultimately, however, we’re to be like the virtuoso pianist who performs primarily for an audience of one, his mentor -- not the adoring crowd in the concert hall. If one day we hear the words from our Lord, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21), that will mean infinitely more than all the good things people might have thought about us here. 

Family: Longing to Find Our ‘Forever Home’

How would you like to be part of a family in which you didn’t know from one day to the next whether you were still in it? Sadly, there are instances of families where that might be the case. However, for most of us there’s no need to worry about whether we still belong to our family. Even with adopted children, once the legal papers have been signed and the judge decrees so, they’re officially part of that family. They have a ‘forever home.’ 

But what about people who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ, those the Bible says are all promised a literal forever home in heaven? Is that family status also assured for them? Or can one’s relationship with God change, depending upon our actions, words and thoughts? Kind of like the ‘He loves me, He loves not’ pulling petals off a daisy dilemma?

 

This has been debated in Christianity through the centuries – the question about what some theologians refer to as the “security of the believer.” Others in the Church prefer the phrase, “once saved, always saved.” Can a person who has professed faith in Jesus Christ lose his or her salvation – in essence, be kicked out of the family?

 

Although I’m not a theologian, like many people I’ve got some thoughts about this, based on what I’ve studied in the Scriptures along with wisdom I’ve gleaned from esteemed Bible teachers. 

 

Various practices have been utilized as visible evidence of a person’s genuine commitment to Christ: Walking an aisle and responding to an altar call. Audibly ‘praying the prayer’ as someone else directs is another ‘proof’ of salvation. During evangelistic services, the speaker might ask those who have invited Jesus into their lives to raise their hands. Or a registration card might be used, with guests at an outreach event encouraged to indicate on the card if they prayed to receive Christ.

 

Many devout followers of Jesus can point to a time when they did one of the things mentioned. It was a moment they ‘planted a stake’ spiritually. However, when our earthly life ends and we approach the proverbial ‘pearly gates,’ no one’s going to ask, “Did you do this…or that.” Because responding with emotion in the moment doesn’t always equate to consciously deciding, “Jesus, I want you to take the reins of my life.” 

 

Looking back at my own spiritual journey, I did some of those things before understanding who the Lord was – and knew I was His. My outward action, whatever it was, didn’t mean anything if my heart – my “inmost being,” as the Bible terms it – wasn’t also on board. 

 

Back to the security of the believer question: Once people become saved, are they always saved? Titus 3:5 is one of many Bible verses that teach salvation – right standing with God – isn’t based on what we’ve done. It states, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 also declares, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Grace means undeserved, unmerited favor. There’s nothing we can do to earn the Lord’s love, forgiveness and acceptance.

 

But what about the person who at one time walked an aisle, prayed a prayer, or raised a hand, but later turned away from the faith? He or she no longer goes to church, engages in lifestyle practices contrary to what the Scriptures teach, and may even declare, “I don’t believe in God.” Is that individual still “saved”?

 

God alone knows the heart. We’re told in Romans 10:9-11, “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.’” As the passage affirms, faith in Christ involves the heart as well as the head.

 

A quote attributed to D.L. Moody and repeated by others seems to sum up the situation well: “If your faith fizzles before the finish, it was flawed from the first. Saving faith is staying faith.”

 

Maybe this is why heroes of the faith often focused on finishing well. The apostle Paul wrote, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me…. I press toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).

 

Writing to urge his protégé Timothy to continue in the work of spreading the Gospel, Paul asserted, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). It almost seems like a sigh of relief. Another apostle, James, also addressed this. He wrote, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

 

The book of Revelation, describing how the end of times and the second coming of Christ will unfold, warned, “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). 

 

Even Jesus underscored this. Preparing His disciples for intense opposition and persecution, He said, “All men will hate you because of Me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 10:22). We can quickly think of one who didn’t: Judas Iscariot.

 

We also have the assurance that “perseverance of the saints” – that those truly saved by God will remain steadfast in their faith and ultimately be saved eternally – isn’t about how much strength and willpower we can muster. Jesus promised all believers through the ages, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-30).

 

To followers of Jesus in ancient Philippi, Paul gave this assurance: “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). He also underscored God’s initiative in this whole spiritual miracle: “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

 

So, the question isn’t, ‘Can someone lose their salvation?’ but rather, ‘Were they genuinely saved at all?” As Moody observed, “If your faith fizzles before the finish, it was flawed from the first.”

Even the Smallest Roles and Responsibilities Are Important

Recently our church sponsored a three-day youth camp attended by nearly 700 young people. It’s amazing all that goes into planning and conducting such an event. 

The daily speakers, worship leaders and musicians were just the icing on the cake. There was all the pre-planning, including schedules; registrations; communications; making T-shirts, ball caps and other camp ‘swag’; training of volunteers who would oversee different groups; arranging for three meals each day plus snacks; handling details for transporting the students from point A to point B during the weekend. 

 

Then there was the actual event, herding hundreds of high-energy young folks and striving to keep their attention in ways both fun and spiritually meaningful. Many adults participated not only directly but also in offering prayer support throughout the three days. The event had a powerful impact on many lives, and it was a marvel how smoothly things went.

My wife and I played a very small part, volunteering to help with serving at two of the lunch sessions. She assisted in passing out the food as the kids came through; my job was to fill cups with ice for their drinks. As the kids came by and took the ones I had already prepared, I filled more cups until the thirsty hoards were ready to return to their next session. Upon arriving both days, I put new meaning to the phrase, “the iceman cometh.”

 

Reflecting on this afterward, I thought about the passage in 1 Corinthians which uses the human body as a metaphor for how God equips His Church. Here are portions of what it says:

“The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts, and though all its parts are many, they form one body…. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many…. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be…” (1 Corinthians 12:12-18).

 

At the youth camp, the program presenters might have received the most attention, but all the behind-the-scenes workers were just as necessary, ranging from the people who drove buses for the various off-campus activities to the folks who swept floors in the gyms after meals had been served.

 

The context for the apostle Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 12 concerned how God distributes spiritual gifts to His children, the body of Christ. The passage mentions a number of the gifts, as do other passages in the New Testament. Using the human body as a metaphor is spot-on.

 

Think about it: In discussions of health, we often think in terms of the brain, the heart, our limbs and our joints. But our liver, kidney, lungs, pancreas, spleen and other organs are just as vital. Problems with any of them are what we call disease – or just as accurately, bodily dis-ease. A serious attack on any of these will land us in a hospital, or worse.

 

This concept is significant for many reasons. We tend to focus most of our attention on the ‘stars,’ even in Christian culture: Pastors, popular conference speakers, best-selling authors, chart-topping singers and musical groups. The Pope, from the moment he makes the transition from “who’s he” to “he’s the Pope,” is a celebrity wherever he goes. Now that faith-based films and TV presentations are cool, we have a whole new set of ‘American idols.’

 

But have you ever thought about the importance of the behind-the-scenes folks who help to make everything possible? The maintenance staff who keep the air conditioning running and the toilets flushing in the church. Custodians who clean up after we’ve spilled the contents of our coffee and communion cups. The audio-visual people who uncomplainingly ensure the lyrics from each Sunday’s praise songs are on the screen, and that the vocals and instruments of the worship band are properly balanced.

 

When Dr. Billy Graham was conducting his many evangelistic crusades, volunteer teams coordinated the events, did advance publicity, got programs printed, operated the sound systems, invited guests who needed to hear his messages, and then arranged for follow up on people who responded. They received little attention. Yet they all were crucial to the success of the campaigns.

 

Perhaps most important, no matter what role God has assigned to you in your church or ministry, you’re important! Whether stuffing envelopes, changing diapers in the nursery, teaching Sunday school for a bunch of first-graders with attention spans of 10 seconds, setting up chairs for the women’s retreat, or cooking food for the expected throng of 200 for the church social, you’re important!

 

The Scriptures make this clear: “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor…our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it…” (1 Corinthians 12:22-24). Whether you’re seen or behind the scenes, thank you for all you’re doing!

The Grim Condition of Having Hard Hearts

Did you know you could die from a hard heart? Literally? 

 

There’s a condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – also known as cardiac hypertrophy – a genetic malady in which heart muscle thickens and hardens, making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood. This can lead to heart failure, arrythmias, and sudden cardiac death. I recently read about an 18-year-old college football player who passed away because of this, no warning.

 

That was also the case for one of my long-time friends more than 10 years ago. He’d been the picture of health, active in numerous sports including basketball (he had played in college at the Division I level), triathlons, mountain biking, mud runs, and regular workouts at the gym. But at age 60 – young by today’s standards – he collapsed and died while on a business trip. 

 

It’s estimated one in 500 people has cardiac hypertrophy, but most never know they have the condition because it’s not easily diagnosed. Most cases can be managed when identified, but it can strike without warning, including with athletes – as with the men I’ve mentioned. These are tragic, without a doubt. But a much higher percentage of people suffer from a very different, even more severe form of heart-hardening.

 

We sometimes hear about people being hard-hearted, meaning they’re insensitive toward others and their needs, even merciless and uncaring. Most of us wouldn’t wish to be described that way. But even worse are those whose hearts are hardened toward God. As Proverbs 28:14 states, “Blessed is the man who always fears the Lord, but he who hardens his heart [toward God] falls into trouble.” The Bible provides an abundance of examples, but here are just a few:

 

In Exodus, when God directed Moses to demand that Pharaoh free the Israelites after 400 years of slavery, we read the king of Egypt repeatedly hardened his heart and rejected Moses’ petitions. This despite the Lord demonstrating His power through miracles – transforming a staff into a snake, turning the waters of the Nile River into blood, swarms of locusts, and a number of other devastating plagues.

 

As God performed these miracles through Moses and his brother Aaron, “Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them” (Exodus 7:14). We read that or similar phrases in Exodus, chapters 7-10. This culminated in the final and most devastating plague of all: “Every firstborn son in Egypt will die…” (Exodus 11:5). Only then did Pharaoh agree to let the Israelites leave Egypt.

 

The Egyptian king wasn’t alone in having a heart hardened toward God. The Old Testament reveals Israel’s King Solomon, purportedly the wisest man who ever lived, developed a hard heart toward the end of his reign. 

 

God had instructed the kings of Israel not to take many wives (Deuteronomy 17:17), but Solomon clearly ignored this mandate, which led to his downfall. “He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been” (1 Kings 11:3-4).

 

Then there’s the curious case of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He had seen God perform wonders through Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, even proclaiming, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries…” (Daniel 2:47), and “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent His angel and rescued His servants” (Daniel 3:28).

 

However, the king later became consumed with his own power, wealth and renown, regarding none to be his equal. “Is this not the great Babylon I have built…by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30). To say Nebuchadnezzar was impressed with himself would be a huge understatement.

 

The consequence of his hubris was losing his royal authority, being driven away from his people, living instead with wild animals, eating grass like cattle for seven years. “But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory” (Daniel 5:20). Only after acknowledging God as sovereign and the only One worthy of praise was Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity restored – along with his throne.

 

Interesting stories, but what do they have to do with us today? More than we’d like to admit. Many people have hardened their hearts toward God, refusing to even consider the truths of the Bible. Attempting to share one’s faith with them is as fruitful as talking to a brick wall. Sadly, they’re missing out on the “abundant life” Jesus promised in John 10:10.

 

Others profess to believe in Jesus Christ and be His followers but also suffer from hardening of the heart spiritually. They turn deaf ears to what God is saying to them or refuse to obey commands that run contrary to their desires, choosing the short-term gratification of sin over eternal blessings. 

 

They might go through religious motions each week, but for the most part behave like practical atheists. “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God…hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:12-13).

 

The Lord offers this warning: “…Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7). Just as some of us have regular cardiac checkups, it’s always a good idea to give ourselves a spiritual heart check. Maybe having someone we trust, who will speak truth to us, assist with the examining.