“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil 4.8).
This is not a difficult passage to understand, so it will not require a lot of comments. Paul simply tells us to think on things that are beneficial to our spiritual journey. What goes unsaid in this passage is just as important as what is mentioned. If you are thinking on true things, you can’t be draw in by that which is false. If your focus is on things that are lovely and commendable, you cannot be thinking about things that are ugly and shameful. The same goes for each item listed.
It may help us to regularly read Paul’s list of things to think about. We can always consult Phil 4.8 to see if our thoughts are headed in the right direction.
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Church. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
I Count Everything As Loss
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ...” (Phil 3.7-8).
After his experience on the road to Damascus, Paul gladly gave up all the benefits and privileges that came from being who he was. King Manasseh may be the only other biblical figure who turned his life around as completely as Paul; however, there is no doubt that Paul had a much greater influence. If you feel like you are too far gone to receive God's grace, remember Manasseh and Paul.
Greek scholars like to point out the vulgarity of the word translated “rubbish” in our text. Paul uses a word most of us would not dare say in our own language (it has been tamed in translation for that very reason) to describe how worthless his past life was compared to the life he found in Christ. Whatever it is we think we are gaining in the world, it is not worth sacrificing “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.” Many earthly endeavors are fine, and do not stand in the way of service to God. But those that do must be “counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” There are some things we just need to count as "rubbish" if we want to gain Christ.
After his experience on the road to Damascus, Paul gladly gave up all the benefits and privileges that came from being who he was. King Manasseh may be the only other biblical figure who turned his life around as completely as Paul; however, there is no doubt that Paul had a much greater influence. If you feel like you are too far gone to receive God's grace, remember Manasseh and Paul.
Greek scholars like to point out the vulgarity of the word translated “rubbish” in our text. Paul uses a word most of us would not dare say in our own language (it has been tamed in translation for that very reason) to describe how worthless his past life was compared to the life he found in Christ. Whatever it is we think we are gaining in the world, it is not worth sacrificing “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.” Many earthly endeavors are fine, and do not stand in the way of service to God. But those that do must be “counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” There are some things we just need to count as "rubbish" if we want to gain Christ.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Christianity: Money Matters
Debt is a significant problem in the United States. The average credit card balance per household in 2001 was $7,500. By all implications things have been getting worse over the last five years. The “buy now and pay later” concept can be valuable if used wisely; however, too many people let their debt get out of control. Unfortunately, too many Christians let their debt get out of control.
Although it may be necessary to occasionally take on debt, it is not a good habit. The Bible talks about problems associated with accumulating too much debt. Solomon said, “The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7 ASV). The Bible does not lack in financial advice. In fact, finances come up repeatedly throughout scripture. Jesus himself often dealt with such issues, or included them in his parables (Matthew 6:19-21; 18:21ff; Luke 12:13-21; 18:18-30). Paul reveals that money issues are a problem for Christians too. He told Timothy that many had been lead astray from the faith because of their attitude toward earthly wealth (1Tim 6:6-10, 17-19)
Debt, if we allow it, will rule our lives. There are people in our country that work hours of overtime to pay for their oversized homes, fancy new cars, and dream vacations. As a result, little time is left for family, friends, and most importantly– God. Jesus predicted that this would happen. Remember the parable of the sower? Some seed is sown among the thorns, it grows up, and is choked out by the cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches, and desires for other things (Mark 4:18-19). This may be the biggest problem among Christians today.
Please do not misunderstand my point. There is nothing wrong with buying a home, a car, and or saving for a nice vacation. I hope to do all of these things at some point in my life, must of us do. The problem is, too many people, Christians included, are forced to give all of their servitude to their lenders because of the poor financial decisions made on a daily basis. Solomon’s words of wisdom, “the borrower is servant to the lender,” must be considered before we begin indiscriminately swiping plastic to meet our hearts’ desires. Consider Paul’s words in Romans 13:7-8:
Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:7-8 ASV)
We better be careful about debt, because Christians have the responsibility to pay what is owed. Whether it is paying taxes to our country or paying respect to our nation’s leader, Christians must not hold back what is owed to another. Christians should avoid bad debt, and certainly bankruptcy, at all cost. The first step, of course, is enacting responsible spending habits. We are ambassadors for Christ, and as such we must do our best to prove that we are trustworthy and honorable.
Second, we need to stop worrying about how rich we look. The desire to appear affluent has contributed to the debt troubles of countless individuals. Sadly, this longing to radiate a wealthy aura pervades our society. In truth, such people are slaves to their “wealthy” behavior. Solomon strongly addressed this issue:
There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.” (Proverbs 13:7 NKJV), and “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17 ASV).
Christians need to avoid this want for a moneyed appearance. It shows an overemphasis on the temporal and a lack of concern for the eternal. Paul is clear that the love of money is the basis of all sorts of evil. Greed often enslaves people to their debts and alleviates their sense of spiritual obligation. It is sad when we feel compelled to place our material duties above our spiritual duties. Do not let debt put you in that position.
For most of us, debt is incurred when we purchase the “wants,” rather than the “needs” of life. Giving up a few wants is a small price to pay to help ensure undivided devotion to the Lord. Would you not agree? We need to live within our means, and discard the tendency to “put it on the card.” Not only does bad debt leave us in spiritual poverty, it often results in physical privation. Proverbs states, “Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread” (Proverbs 12:9 ASV). What’s the point? People that look rich rarely are.
The devil works in various ways to distract us from our spiritual service.
Those who enslave themselves to their monthly bills grant the devil success in his mission to cark God’s people with worldly diversions. It is impossible for us to be a living sacrifice to God when we are working ourselves to death to pay off outrageous debts (Romans 12:1).
I like what Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D. wrote in his book The Millionaire Mind, “I taught my sons and daughters that money is not their god. You control it...not let it control you.” We cannot afford to become slaves to debt, because we owe our service to God. We must be slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:18). Remember, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). If you let debt become your master, it will cost you eternal life– that is a debt you can never repay.
Although it may be necessary to occasionally take on debt, it is not a good habit. The Bible talks about problems associated with accumulating too much debt. Solomon said, “The rich ruleth over the poor; And the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7 ASV). The Bible does not lack in financial advice. In fact, finances come up repeatedly throughout scripture. Jesus himself often dealt with such issues, or included them in his parables (Matthew 6:19-21; 18:21ff; Luke 12:13-21; 18:18-30). Paul reveals that money issues are a problem for Christians too. He told Timothy that many had been lead astray from the faith because of their attitude toward earthly wealth (1Tim 6:6-10, 17-19)
Debt, if we allow it, will rule our lives. There are people in our country that work hours of overtime to pay for their oversized homes, fancy new cars, and dream vacations. As a result, little time is left for family, friends, and most importantly– God. Jesus predicted that this would happen. Remember the parable of the sower? Some seed is sown among the thorns, it grows up, and is choked out by the cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches, and desires for other things (Mark 4:18-19). This may be the biggest problem among Christians today.
Please do not misunderstand my point. There is nothing wrong with buying a home, a car, and or saving for a nice vacation. I hope to do all of these things at some point in my life, must of us do. The problem is, too many people, Christians included, are forced to give all of their servitude to their lenders because of the poor financial decisions made on a daily basis. Solomon’s words of wisdom, “the borrower is servant to the lender,” must be considered before we begin indiscriminately swiping plastic to meet our hearts’ desires. Consider Paul’s words in Romans 13:7-8:
Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:7-8 ASV)
We better be careful about debt, because Christians have the responsibility to pay what is owed. Whether it is paying taxes to our country or paying respect to our nation’s leader, Christians must not hold back what is owed to another. Christians should avoid bad debt, and certainly bankruptcy, at all cost. The first step, of course, is enacting responsible spending habits. We are ambassadors for Christ, and as such we must do our best to prove that we are trustworthy and honorable.
Second, we need to stop worrying about how rich we look. The desire to appear affluent has contributed to the debt troubles of countless individuals. Sadly, this longing to radiate a wealthy aura pervades our society. In truth, such people are slaves to their “wealthy” behavior. Solomon strongly addressed this issue:
There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.” (Proverbs 13:7 NKJV), and “He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich” (Proverbs 21:17 ASV).
Christians need to avoid this want for a moneyed appearance. It shows an overemphasis on the temporal and a lack of concern for the eternal. Paul is clear that the love of money is the basis of all sorts of evil. Greed often enslaves people to their debts and alleviates their sense of spiritual obligation. It is sad when we feel compelled to place our material duties above our spiritual duties. Do not let debt put you in that position.
For most of us, debt is incurred when we purchase the “wants,” rather than the “needs” of life. Giving up a few wants is a small price to pay to help ensure undivided devotion to the Lord. Would you not agree? We need to live within our means, and discard the tendency to “put it on the card.” Not only does bad debt leave us in spiritual poverty, it often results in physical privation. Proverbs states, “Better is he that is lightly esteemed, and hath a servant, Than he that honoreth himself, and lacketh bread” (Proverbs 12:9 ASV). What’s the point? People that look rich rarely are.
The devil works in various ways to distract us from our spiritual service.
Those who enslave themselves to their monthly bills grant the devil success in his mission to cark God’s people with worldly diversions. It is impossible for us to be a living sacrifice to God when we are working ourselves to death to pay off outrageous debts (Romans 12:1).
I like what Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D. wrote in his book The Millionaire Mind, “I taught my sons and daughters that money is not their god. You control it...not let it control you.” We cannot afford to become slaves to debt, because we owe our service to God. We must be slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:18). Remember, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). If you let debt become your master, it will cost you eternal life– that is a debt you can never repay.
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