The Cornerstone
This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief conerstone." Acts 4:11
Volume 6 * Number 5 * January 29, 2006
Wonderfully Made
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Psalms 139:14
All of creation is such a marvelous display of God’s wisdom and power. The human body has numerous systems that all function in harmony with one another. You smack your thumb and the nervous system comes alive. The respitory system kicks in to high gear as you run around the room shaking your thumb. The circulartory system immediately sends the needed blood cells to make any necessary repairs. Truly we are a remarkable designed piece of dust in the Master’s hand.
David said it well, "that my soul knoweth right well." What has happened to common sense? The inward part of man that God breathed into his nosterils in likness of Him, surely knows right well that we are no accident but a marvelous manifestation of a True and Living God. Yet more and more people deny and question the existence of Almighty God. Lazy thinkers they truly are. For they profess "themselves to be wise, they became fools." Romans 1:22 "The fool hath said in his heart, ‘there is no God…’" Psalms 53:1
"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God" Hebrews 10:31
Stacy Crim
GIVING TO THE LORD 'AS NEEDED'
By Al Diestelkamp
In this age of great prosperity there are many congregations that receive weekly offerings in excess of their budgetary needs, resulting in ever-increasing treasuries. As this happens, some Christians adjust their giving downward. I have even heard of some who, in moving their membership from one congregation to another, have reduced the amount of their weekly contributions because the need was less.
Granted, if a congregation is not using the treasury to God's glory, there is little incentive to give. Frankly, I'll admit that if I were a member of a congregation which continued to build up an already inflated treasury, I would adjust my giving. I wouldn't reduce my giving, but I would adjust where I gave it. Of course, first I would try to get the brethren to recognize the need to spread the gospel both locally and in other places.
Congregations large and rich enough to supply their own needs would do well to "lift up your eyes and look at the fields" (Jn. 4:35). There are even small congregations which have managed to pay off their buildings and are blessed to have men who can do the preaching while supporting themselves (may their number increase) who could, if they would, help to support brethren in more needy places.
There is really no excuse for congregations to "sit on" extremely large treasuries. I understand that the larger a congregation is, and the larger its commitments are, the larger the treasury must be, but I'm afraid that some congregations display a lack of faith in feeling they need a huge treasury "just in case." When a congregation's treasury begins to bulge, some are likely to look for ways to spend the money for more conveniences, or other luxuries, rather than real needs.
But, I digress from my original intent for this article-that of basing one's giving only on need. Though need might motivate some to give "beyond their ability" (2 Cor. 8:3), the fact is that the giving prescribed in the New Testament is to be based on one's prosperity-not on the needs of the congregation. Therefore, giving only "as needed" is not scriptural giving.
However, to the extent that Christians recognize the great need of the gospel throughout the world, this is a moot point. As long as there are people who need salvation, there will be a need for gospel workers who deserve to "live of the gospel" (1 Cor. 9:14). We're a long way from supplying the need.
Giving is something which should be done "cheerfully" rather than "of necessity" (2 Cor. 9:7). However, just because we are not to give simply because it's necessary, doesn't mean it isn't necessary. This same text indicates that our giving should be as we purpose in our hearts. In our hearts we know there will never be a time on this earth when there is no need.
Think on These Things
Vol. 36 N. 3
&
WEARY WELL DOERS
By David Diestelkamp
The
words of Galatians 6:9 are motivation to those trying to do right: "And let us not be weary in well doing" True well doers do their best not to grow weary, especially since their reward is at stake: "for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."But what about those whose actions (or lack of them) weary the well doers? What about those who demand action, but never act? What about those who expect others to study, teach, be hospitable, and work without themselves becoming personally involved? What about people who expect others to develop to be elders, deacons, and preachers in difficult places? What about Christians who require constant correction because they want to be like the world?
It is bad enough that some decide not to be well doers and therefore shall reap the reward of the wicked rather than that of the righteous, but they also affect others. Their inactivity, complaining, gossip, and worldliness may cause some well doers to faint. In that case "it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matt. 18:6). Well doer or wearier, which will it be?
Think on These Things
Vol. 36 N. 3
&