THE LORD SPOKE (June 6)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: II Kings 22-23

What King Josiah did:

• that which "was right in the eyes of the Lord...not turning aside" (22:2)
• initiated repairs on the Temple (22:3-7)
• responded to the Book of the Law (22:11-13)
• he repented (22:11)
• he inquired of the Lord (22:12-13)
• he took action and led others to do the same (22:13)
• listened to spiritual counsel (22:18f)
• humbled himself before the Lord (22:19)
• led from the front - he read the Book of the Covenant to the people and led them publicly to renew their commitment (23:1-3)
• cleansed the Temple and the whole kingdom of pagan worship (23:4-24)
• re-instituted Passover observance (23:21-23)
• died in the saddle (23:29)

What the priests and prophets did:

• found the Book of the Law (22:8) [How on earth did they lose it in the first place?]
• sought spiritual counsel (22:14)
• took the answer back to the king (22:20b) - not always an easy thing to do
• joined the king in public repentance and commitment to the covenant (23:2)
• were instrumental in all the king's actions to destroy pagan worship in Judah (23:4-24)

What the people did:

• listened to their leaders about "what is written in this Book" and what should be done about it (22:13)
• "pledged themselves to the covenant" (23:3)
• expressed their agreement with the king's reforms by joyfully celebrating the Passover again (23:30,32)

Did you notice? It all started because a 26-year-old leader's "heart was responsive and [he] humbled [himself] before the Lord...with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength" (22:1,3,19,25).


New Testament: II Corinthians 8

“See that you also excel in this grace of giving.” (II Cor. 8:7)

Paul refers to “overflowing joy...in rich generosity” (II Cor. 8:2) and to “the privilege of sharing” (II Cor. 8:4). Giving is a grace! It is unmerited favor that God should allow us to contribute to His work. That’s why Paul commends the Macedonian churches for their attitude toward giving: “they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing” (II Cor. 8:3).

Is that our experience today? If not, why not? Why do we find ourselves pleading for needy causes? Why do people need to be prodded and needled to give? Why is God’s work often hindered for lack of funds?

First off, maybe we need to better define what is God’s work and what are our own dreams or schemes. “God’s work, done in God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” If that’s true, perhaps we should conclude that a lack of funding is proof that it’s not God’s work or, at least, not His timing.

But we’re still back to the question about giving. Paul commands us to “excel in this grace of giving”. How may we do that?

• Ask God to shower His grace - this grace of giving - upon you.
• Determine to set aside a portion of your income to give to God’s work, just as outlined in I Corinthians 16:1-2. It should be proportionate, consistent, and faithful.
• Follow through on this with a plan. Determine how much you will give, to what or whom you will give, and when and how you will give it. Then work your plan.
• Learn to live on less so you can give more. Determine to increase the amount you will give.

The Bible has a lot to say about money and our attitude towards it. Paul tells Timothy that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (I Tim. 6:10). This “grace of giving” is just the opposite! It involves not clinging to money or material wealth. It is giving it away rather than keeping it. John Wesley had this to say: “When I get any money, I get rid of it as fast as I can - lest it find a way into my heart.”

There is the key! Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also - to turn the phrase of Matthew 6:21. It is ultimately a heart issue. Jesus said you must determine who/what is your master. “You cannot serve both God and money.” (Mat. 6:24).