Flourish in Giving – What We Are NOT to Give (Part 3)

Do Not Give Offense in Anything

    In this the final lesson of our three-part mini study of what not to give, I would like you to consider the inferred instruction that we find in several places in the New Testament: Do not give offence so that our ministry may not be blamed (2 Corinthians 6:3).

    We need to realize that lax attitudes about bad habits (refusing to work on our patience, our holiness, or our purity) does not just affect ourselves, it can damage our influence for good (Titus 1:16), it can also sully the reputation of the congregation we are a part of, and it will inevitably give opportunity for the world to ridicule God’s way and blaspheme His word and name (Romans 2:23-24). Consider for a moment why Jesus admonished the Laodicean church for being lukewarm in Revelation 3:15-16; if they were hot they would be zealous in their obedience, if they were cold they would simply separate themselves from God and the church, but they were lukewarm and it was very harmful to the work and respectability of the church, and lowering the One for who the church is named in the eyes of the world because these members were known to be Christians but their conduct was far from Christ-like.  

    We, specifically, are given duties in Titus 2:3-5 that we must accomplish. Why? So “that the word of God may not be blasphemed.”  If we are not conducting ourselves reverently, and if we are slandering others and drinking, we cannot be teachers of good things. And we are given the task of being an example and a teacher to the younger women so they may learn to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, and obedient to their own husbands. Otherwise, God’s word may be blasphemed, made fun of, and altogether rejected. Our behavior is seen, and our words are heard, by more people than we think! “I thought she was a Christian?!” “She talks down about her husband and kids a lot – isn’t she a church goer?”  “Well, I guess if she’s acting like that, I can too!” “If she doesn’t follow this command, why should I?” “She complains all the time, storming around, ranting about everything, why would I listen to her advice?”

    How do we avoid giving offence and keep God’s word from being blasphemed?

    Jesus instructed His twelve apostles to “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16) because they would be like sheep amongst wolves and they needed to be always mindful of their intent (to preach “the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” Matthew 10:7) and retain their pure, untainted motive (to reach the lost sheep of Israel, Matthew 10:5).

    It was, and still is, vital to be mindful of our intent:

• to serve God humbly and faithfully, Luke 17:5-10,
• to be holy in all our conduct, 1 Peter 1:15-16,
• to proclaim His praises, 1 Peter 2:9
• to do good so that God is glorified, Matthew 5:14-16
• to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, 1 Peter 2:18
• etc.

    And to always remember why we are doing it:

• He is God, our Creator, and worthy of our every service, Acts 17:26-27, Romans 6, Ephesians 2:1-13, Jude 20-25
• He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, 1 Peter 2:9
• We hope to be with Him in eternity, 1 John 3:1-3
• We want others to share in that hope, too, Mark 16:15-16

    Jesus instructed this and exemplified it – we need to look to Him and follow His footsteps:

“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV)

“…But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously…” (1 Peter 2:20b-23 NKJV)

“He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love if God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” (1 John 2:4-6 NKJV)

    We need to remember who God is – and all that He has done and all that He continues to do for us: His mercy and grace, His forgiveness, His patience, and His blessings – and who we are before Him: in dire need of His mercy and grace, in utter need of His forgiveness, in desperate need of His patience, and in humble appreciation of His bountiful blessings – so that we give no offense nor minimize God, His word, or His way in other's eyes.

    Guard yourself in faith (Ephesians 6:16) and obedience (James 4:7) so you do not give opportunity to the devil to lure you from God (Ephesians 4:27). Study God’s word daily, and attend worship services and Bible studies to learn with your brethren, to know the truth (Hebrews 5:14), so you do not give heed to fables or notions of men (1 Timothy 1:4, Titus 1:14). And give proper diligence to do what God has given you to do, as a Christian, and specifically as a woman, so that you do not give offence and God’s word is not blamed or blasphemed.

You can do it!! So can I!!