THE LORD SPOKE (May 31)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Kings 11-12

The Bible has a lot to say about money. Our attitude towards it is the acid test of our love for God.

Jesus tells us that it is impossible to love both God and money at the same time (Mat. 6:24) and Paul tells us that it is the root of all kinds of evil in our lives (I Tim. 6:10). In fact, Paul goes on and says that it is eagerness for money that makes many people "wander from the faith". Eventually, it will "pierce you with many griefs". There is no sin in possessing riches - sin comes in being possessed by them. But this temptation is greater than most people can deal with. So, how can we face it biblically?

II Kings 12:4 speaks of an occasion when people were giving generously to the work of the Lord, specifically to the needs of the Temple in Jerusalem. They were contributing (1) through the census, (2) through personal vows, a Faith Promise plan of sorts, and (3) through voluntary offerings above and beyond what was "required". In fact, their good example became a challenge to some lazy priests. Even the king was challenged by their example to get busy and provide some leadership. In the end, the money was enough to "meet all the other expenses" (II Ki. 12:12). Have you ever been in a situation where you had enough money in the budget to meet all the expenses? That happens when God's people are unleashed to give. "God's work, done in God's way, will never lack God's supply."

But, the chapter ends sadly with the looting of the Temple treasures and the death of the king. We're not told why, but would it be safe to assume that the people and leaders fell away from following God in their giving? That story is repeated so often in Scripture and in our own lives. It is not, however, inevitable! It is possible to remain faithful to God all our lives. Hebrews 11 is full of such stories of faith.

With some sins, we're told to flee. Others to resist. Sometimes restitution is called for. All sins are to be confessed. The way to deal with the sins that result from a love of money is to give it away. God is the one who gives it to us in the first place (Deut. 8:17-18) but He demands a right use of it or He will take it away. Giving it away is God's way for us to avoid entrapment in this sin.

One man gives freely, yet gains even more;
another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Prov. 11:24-25)

So, how are you doing on this test? Will your exam scores receive a reward in heaven?


New Testament: II Corinthians 2

What does death smell like? It’s not pretty! Who would ever choose to be around it if they had any possibility of getting out? If you’ve visited the former concentration camps in Germany or Poland, you’ve experienced the clinging scent of death on the piles of shoes, hair, and other objects - and that’s after 60+ years of sanitizing time has passed over them.

But “the fragrance of life” in Paul’s analogy is the extreme opposite. We, to the extent that we are followers of Christ, produce a fragrant aroma that attracts others to Him. To those who reject Him, it’s like the stink of death. Their olfactory nerves are twisted - their smellers don’t work. What should be an attractive fragrance that draws them becomes a horrid stench that repels. We are “the aroma of Christ”. No wonder Paul asks, “Who is equal to such a task?”

That imagery comes fast on the heals of an illuminating situation in the church at Corinth. Back in the first epistle, Paul castigated the church for not dealing with a member who had fallen into gross sin (I Cor. 5). He rebuked them strongly and instructed the church to “deliver such an one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved...” (I Cor. 5:5, KJV).

Now (II Cor. 3), this man has repented and genuinely turned from his evil ways so Paul urges the church to “forgive and comfort him”. The punishment had its desired effect and the brothers are instructed to “reaffirm your love” and restore him to fellowship. What a glorious picture of God’s forgiveness of us as sinners! This too is the aroma of Christ.

Did you notice what’s tucked in between these two thoughts here in I Corinthians 2? We are directed in this course of action “in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes” (II Cor. 2: 10-11). An unforgiving spirit in the presence of genuine repentance is from the pit! It is one of the Devil’s tools in his filthy bag of tricks. He uses it to put a lid on the fragrance of Christ in our lives.

But we are not bound by Satan’s tricks. We can give “thanks to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him” (II Cor. 2:14). If He so leads, is it not our part to follow?