THE LORD SPOKE (June 22)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Chronicles 29

Besides the royal resources which David had amassed and budgeted for the construction of the Temple (I Chron. 29:2), he gave generously out of his own pocket (I Chron. 29:3-5). In addition, he consciously used his personal example to challenge the other leaders to give (I Chron. 29:5b) and they too contributed liberally (I Chron. 29:6-8). This then served as catalyst to all the people who, in turn, gave willingly (I Chron. 29:9, 17). Isn't that fantastic!

Tucked in the middle of David's dedicatory prayer (I Chron. 29:10-19) is an important comment: "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity" (I Chron. 29:17a). Back in the last chapter David had made a similar statement (28:9). In fact, the same thought rings out in many passages of Scripture, including in the New Testament. Here in I Chronicles 29, the phrase is bracketed by the idea of giving generously. It seems to be saying in other words, "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Indeed, if you want to know what really is most important to any person, look at the entries in his checkbook.

What you do with your money reveals most clearly what is in your heart. And did you notice? The Lord "tests the heart", not just observes the heart. He actually puts us to the test in this area. He's watching to see what we do with the resources He gives us. Recall Moses' words to the children of Israel:

He gave you...__________ [fill in your blank - in Israel's case it was water and manna in the wilderness]...to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth...." (Deut. 8:16-18)

Like Moses, David's request was that God would "keep this desire in the hearts of [his] people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to [him]" (I Chron. 29:18). Let this word go out: "Put your money where your heart is!"


New Testament: Ephesians 5

Godly people can smell the depravity of an act before they can explain why it is evil. - Jonathan Edwards

Just the hint of sin should be enough to set off a believer’s warning lights. Buzzers should sound at any form of “sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or of greed” (Eph. 5:3). Alarms should go off at and “obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking” (Eph. 5:4). By the way, that would make watching TV rather hard, wouldn’t it?

These are all things which “are improper for God’s holy people” (Eph. 5:3). Paul goes on to say they’re “out of place” in the kingdom of God and we should “not be partners with them”. He calls all such activity “darkness”. Instead, we are to live as “children of light”, which are characterized by “all goodness, righteousness, and truth”. The “fruitless deeds of darkness” are to be exposed and rejected.

There follow several positive steps we should also take:

• “find out what pleases the Lord” (vs. 10)
• “be careful...how you live” (vs. 15)
• “understand what the Lord’s will is” (vs. 17)
• “be filled with the Spirit” (vs. 18:b)
• “sing and make music in your heart to the Lord” (vs. 19)
• “submit to one another” (vs. 21)

What a glorious difference this would make in our lives! Too much to accomplish? No matter - pick just one item on that list and make a conscious effort to do it today. Tomorrow keep going on that and add one more. You’ll be glad you did.