Renew Your Subscription

(Proverbs 21:27 KJV)  The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

The idea of sacrifice (2077) does not stand in isolation.  In spite of owning the cattle on a thousand hills, God seems to be thrifty.  Because of that, sacrifice includes a feast.  This might not apply for the smaller offerings of the poor but when an ox or a sheep was offered up for atonement only a portion was consumed by the fire.  The rest went for food.  Consider the verse often quoted for the tithe,

(Malachi 3:10 KJV)  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

This also bring to mind the abuse of the communion meal in I Corinthians 11.  What was intended to bring the body of Christ together became a vehicle for snobbery, selfishness and class warfare.  That was because people were coming for communion who were “wicked” (7563).  That was why Paul called for them to examine themselves.

(1 Corinthians 11:27 KJV)  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

So?  This is not a call for you to be the judge of where the person down the pew stands in relation to God.  This is a call for you to make sure that you are up to date.  Don’t let your salvation subscription run out. 

Keep Your Head Down

(Proverbs 20:2 KJV)  The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

It is sad to say but our government is getting so strong and bureaucratic that it is almost impossible for the average citizen to deal with.  Bureaucracy was developed by the Chinese to make government more efficient.  On its good side it makes the process clear and defines who is responsible to whom.  In the nightmare of maturity it becomes a intractable maze that depends on the whim of low level employees.  I remember the time I went to renew my drivers license and the eye condition I dealt with all my life was suddenly an issue.  Because the clerk didn’t want to be bothered I had to waste hours of my life going through paperwork channels.  Picture what it would be like if you are accused of a crime you could not have committed or assessed a tax you should not have to pay.

It is sad to say that the best thing to do is stay off the radar.  In a day when government officials are defining believing Christians as domestic terrorists it becomes wiser than ever to keep your head down and your mouth shut.  Of course that is not always possible because we are commanded by God to be salt and light.

So?  Pick your battles.  Make sure that your are speaking on issues that are supported by Biblical principles and ultimately walk in faith.  Persecution should be because of righteousness, not self-righteousness. 

Rejection

(Proverbs 19:29 KJV)  Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

There is some truth in the fact that God loves all people.

(Acts 10:34 KJV)  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

At the same time He does not treat us all the same and we are not supposed to treat everyone identically.  Here we see two types of personalities that are not to be given the benefit of the doubt.

“Scoffers” (3917b) are already judged.  That may not seem fair.  Everyone deserves another chance in our current cultural thinking, but remember the words of Jesus.

(John 3:18 KJV)  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

A scoffer refuses to believe. 

So?  Be kind and courteous.  Show agape to everyone.  At the same time don’t fall into the trap of thinking that everyone is acceptable to God or that you will be accepted if you live in rebellion or rejection. 

Did You Wash Your Hands?

(Proverbs 18:17 KJV)  He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

It is not only acceptable to ask questions, it is important.  It may even be a requirement.  There may be times when we must accept the first word.  There are times of crisis and short encounters but often we have time to “searcheth” (examine NASB) (2713) what people tell us.  It isn’t even that people are trying to deceive.  Sometimes it is just a case of being too lazy to examine what they remember.

We are given the responsibility to think and assist others in thinking.  Questioning is important.  Being considered a skeptic might be the difference between knowing the truth and living a lie.  You never know.  When you ask your child if they washed their hands it is usually just a precaution but there will be that time when it will make a difference between getting sick or staying healthy.  The sickness can vary from a runny nose to a fatal disease.

So?  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  The masses are often too happy with their bread and circuses.  We are to be salt and salt makes a difference. 

Welcome to Life

(Proverbs 17:8 KJV)  A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

Are you comfortable with the idea of a “gift" (bribe NASB) (7810)?  We have many common extensions of this concept.  While bribing someone is illegal we accept tipping for good service.  One difference is that usually tipping comes after and is voluntary.  A job bonus might be the same, but what about “discounts” and “free samples”? 

This is a simple observation that the person getting the advantage because of a gift is quite pleased with themselves.  Like so many gray areas of life the moral value depends on the intent and attitude of the actor and the results of the action.

So?  Life is not always easy.  Decisions are not always clear.  Sometimes all we can do is focus on the inner values that have been instilled by faithful reading of the word, listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and trust God.  Welcome to life. 

Sons of Belial

(Proverbs 16:27 KJV)  An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

If you have a background in the KJV you are familiar with this word “worthless” (1100) as a transliteration of the Hebrew.  It is usually accompanied by the words “sons” or “children” and you see “sons of Belial”.  The root meaning of the word is “good for nothing”.  Although there are no numbers or percentages given here the implication throughout Proverbs is that many good-for-nothings are running around loose.

The old “chicken or the egg” question comes up.  Are they worthless because they bring out evil or are they evil because they are worthless.  It really doesn’t make much difference.  We need to be aware that all men are not benevolent or simply mistaken.  We must make sure that we are not falling into this trap.

So?  Evil exists in greater numbers than we want to admit.  We are called to be righteous.  It makes for a world with a lot of tension. 

Eavesdrop on Life

(Proverbs 15:23 KJV)  A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

There is a second quality in learning and growing.  We need a "word in due season" (“timely” (6256) “word” (1697) NASB).  When I first read this I saw myself as the one giving the wisdom.  As I read it again I begin to realize that maybe I am the one who is receiving.  We are reminded to listen to those around us worth listening to.

Sometimes we are prodded by something in a sermon.  Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to us through a conversation we are eavesdropping on.  Sometimes we may have asked a good question and actually paid attention to the answer.  If our hearts are hungry, God will supply us with what we need.

So?  Listen.  Expect.  Be alert.  The answers are out there.  Make sure that they don’t need to be repeated or you might miss the high tide.