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 sat 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 of 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!!   

Flourish in Giving – When Not to Give (Part 2)

Do Not Give Heed to Fables and Doctrines of Men

    Continuing our mini study of what not to give, let’s consider the instruction given by the apostle Paul to both Timothy and Titus: do not give heed (attention) to fables/Jewish fables, endless genealogies, and the commandments of men (1 Timothy 1:4, Titus 1:14). He was warning them against listening to anything that people have used/will use to justify their resistance to wholly obey God’s commands and what they will use to try to align God (and His way) with their existing beliefs. The Jews and the Gnostics (those who denied Jesus was deity who came in the flesh) used these devices to hold onto their former habits and ideas.

Side Note: In case of the Jews, one might argue that their ways were God’s ways because they should have been following the Law of Moses, but by Jesus’ time many of those laws had been modified to suit the people and therefore what many followed were only commandments of men (God’s commands changed in any way, big or small, by men become men’s commands). Consider, for example, Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:17-48 (“You have heard that it was said… (man’s modification), but I say to you… (the truth)”). After Jesus’ death, the New Covenant came into effect (Hebrews 10:9-10) and several of the New Testament letters are teaching the Jews to let go of their Judaism and simply follow Christ (see Paul’s letter to the Romans, for example, and the letter to the Hebrews).

    We can be just as guilty of using these devices. If what the preacher/teacher says is not scripturally sound – modifying God’s word and commands to please himself/his audience – and you give heed to his words, and base your faith and actions on what he says, never once checking to see if it is correct (consider Acts 17:11), then you are blindly following the commandments of men (read and think on 2 Timothy 4:3-4). And if you hold to it, because it checks a box in your moral conscience that you’ve attended “church” and that’s enough for you (that’s all you’re willing to give), then you are no different than the Jewish people who simply went through the motions of service (read and consider Malachi 1, Matthew 15:7-9).

“These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honour Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrine the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:8-9 NKJV)   

We are also guilty of these devices if we base our “goodness” and our “righteousness” on what we think the Bible says – “I’m pretty sure it’s in there, somewhere” – instead of knowing what it says through sincere study and application. If we do this then we are simply following our own made up notions, and we are giving a foothold to the devil to carry us further from the narrow way with fables, wives’ tales, and “every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).

“…they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” (Romans 10:2-3 NKJV)

How do we avoid giving heed to these things?

• By exercising ourselves toward godliness (1 Timothy 4:7) and trusting in the living God (1 Timothy 4:10). 

    Go a little further in that same chapter and see the instructions given to Timothy – yes, Timothy was a preacher but the instructions he received are sound and useful for every Christian!

• Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, faith, in purity (v12). This can only be accomplished when we submit to God and learn His way (see next two points).
• Give attention to reading, exhortation, to doctrine – meditate on these, give yourselves entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all (vv13, 15).
• Take heed of yourself (your relationship with God) and the doctrine (His instructions), and continue in them (v16) 

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2 NKJV)

    Give time and attention to reading God’s word, and not just reading, but thinking on it and obeying it – apply it to your life, see God’s wisdom, give Him the glory and thank Him for His provision. Don’t give attention to any ideas or commands that are not clearly founded in God’s word – it’s our responsibility to search “the Scriptures daily to find out if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Remember, we need to know the True and Authentic so we can properly spot what is false (Hebrews 5:14) and keep not only ourselves, but our brethren from being led astray. God has provided all we need to know Him, the One True God – the very source of Truth. Don’t be content with everyone else’s knowledge, get your very own through careful study and application! Only then can you serve God with confidence, knowing you have submitted to His righteousness! Are you ready?   

You can do it! So can I!!

Flourish in Giving – What We Are Not to Give (Part 1)

    So far in our study we have learned that we must first give ourselves to God (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Peter 4:1-2) – this is vital to our learning, obeying, and flourishing – we must choose God over self. Next, we need to give thanks to God (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Hebrews 13:15, Colossians 1:12) – developing a sincere gratitude for God’s blessings will fortify our trust and encourage our obedience. After that, we looked at the need to give glory to God (Psalm 29:1-2, 1 Peter 2:9) – all we have is from God: our abilities, our wherewithal, time and opportunity (ex: Deuteronomy 8:18, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Ephesians 2:10). We are simply sharing from the abundant supply He has granted us (Psalm 68:19, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4) – so we need to give Him the praise, tell others that it was by His blessings you could be a benefit to them, and that it is God to whom all glory is due!

    Now, if you’re already flourishing in these areas; that is wonderful! Keep going! Keep growing!! And, if you’re desiring to flourish in these areas, keep trying! Discover what happens when you don’t give up!! Whatever stage of development you find yourself at, I would like you to consider and area to watch out for; a circumstance in which we are instructed NOT to give.

Do Not Give Place to the Devil  

    Throughout Ephesians 4 to 6, Paul teaches Christians how to walk worthy of the calling (Ephesians 4:1), and one of the many instructions he gives is found in chapter 4, verses 26-27: “”Be angry and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” We are to resolve our quarrels quickly (Proverbs 17:14), otherwise we leave ourselves open to the devil’s temptations (consider God’s instruction about sin in Genesis 4:7, and Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 5:21-26).

    The command to not give place to the devil is applicable everywhere in our lives, not just in the matter of harbouring anger. Anytime we choose self over God we give the devil a foothold in our lives. For example: You choose __(fill in the blank)__ over attending worship services one week (or any other good and proper thing), the devil will certainly take advantage of that and feed you all sorts of lies as you struggle to justify your choice; he may even work to create more opportunities/invitations that keep you on the same selfish path, all in an effort to distract you from attending faith-fortifying assemblies/activities (remember what faith does to his fiery darts, Ephesians 6:16).

Don’t make it easy for the devil to claim you:

• Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7)
• Put on the full armour of God, so that you can stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil (Ephesians 6:11)  
• Be sober, be vigilant – the devil walks about looking for someone to devour; resist him – get help from your brethren, be a help to your brethren - we need to band together and stand against him (1 Peter 5:8-9)
• Keep watch over yourself (that you are in Jesus and walking as He walked, 1 John 2:3-6), stay on guard, and the wicked one will not touch you (1 John 5:18)

    When we flourish in giving ourselves to God, in giving thanks to Him, and in giving Him the glory, we are guarding ourselves from giving place to the devil – so keep flourishing in giving what is good and right to our gracious and loving Father in heaven and resist the temptation to give place to the devil!

You can do it! So can I!!