Holding Money Lightly

I started writing this last month, but have been so busy I never finished it!  I was trying to get at least one post up there, and here it finally is.  I have much to say, but this was something practical that was on my mind, and a lesson I think I'm supposed to be learning right now so I'll throw it out there...

The title may not seem very wise, nor will anyone who is a miser think too kindly of this post.  If you hold your money lightly, doesn't that mean there is the possibility of losing it?  Actually...yes...yes, it does.  What I want to zero in on though is our attitude about money.  (This post is a bit of a departure for me, because this isn't something I generally talk about a lot, but it's something we all have to deal with, so here goes!)

I just had a very frustrating experience as I was driving home a few weeks ago, but let me set the stage for you.
Having just finished college, money is a bit tight.  Looming over my head was the knowledge that I have some school loans and things to pay off, and that I need to begin working soon to get it paid off as soon as possible so that the interest doesn't accumulate to ungodly amounts.  I also had one more test to take, which cost about one hundred dollars, and graduation and transcript fees.  I generally have enough to cover things, but my bank account was pretty low...very low, in fact, and being home meant of course that there would be additional expenses.  Gas prices ain't gettin' cheaper overall, and a lot of the things I was planning on doing, such as Bible studies, picking people up for different activities, and even getting to places where I can work all requires a lot of gas, since I traditionally drive all over Northern Colorado to do those things.  Then there are other expenses like food and such that I usually pay for.
I thankfully got an opportunity to work temporarily for a local restoration company, and drove up to Denver to put in a day, planning, of course, to use the money to go towards college expenses.  On the way back, I had to fill up with gas, which cost a painful $55.  As I left the gas station, and was finding my way back to the highway, I apparently ran a stop sign. (I say 'apparently' because I didn't see it...but the cop sure did.)  Yes, as luck would have it, a cop was there waiting for someone to slip up, and he pulled me over and gave me a $180 ticket!

Sitting in my car by the side of the road, I looked at the amount in shock.  Was it normally so much money for such a seemingly small offense?   I didn't even have $180 in my bank account right now...I didn't even have enough to fill up with gas again!  That meant that any money I'd make for the few days I'd be able to work would go straight to covering this fine.

As I drove home thinking about it, I got more and more frustrated. This was such an unnecessary expense, and it was coming at such an inopportune time!  It made all the work I had just done for 7 hours completely worthless!  (I started to reason with myself that if I hadn't worked I definitely wouldn't have had enough to cover the ticket, but then I immediately shot back that if I hadn't worked, I wouldn't have even been in Denver to get the ticket in the first place.)  Like a mature adult, I called my mom and vented my frustration onto her.  She kindly reminded me that this meant my insurance would go up...which didn't exactly help my mood.
As I drove home, stewing, and being frustrated, I knew I needed to reign in and get a hold of myself.  Things like this are always bound to happen.  That's just life, and I know I can't lose my temper every time I'm struggling financially.  And as I thought about this, somehow the thought came to me to hold my money loosely.

Jesus actually talked quite a bit about money and worry in the gospels.  There's a few places that really stand out to me in the gospel of Luke though, because He seems to be approaching the subject of money from opposite directions.  They are long passages so bear with me but they contain important truths.
Luke 12:13-34 KJV
(13)  And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
(14)  And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
(15)  And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
(16)  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
(17)  And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
(18)  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
(19)  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
(20)  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
(21)  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
(22)  And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
(23)  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
(24)  Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
(25)  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
(26)  If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
(27)  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
(28)  If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
(29)  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
(30)  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
(31)  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
(32)  Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
(33)  Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
(34)  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

We are familiar with these verses and these concepts from Scripture.  And when I first read some of these verses it almost looks like Jesus is telling us not to plan ahead.  Don't worry about food or clothes or money because God will take care of you.  But then a few chapters later we have this story:
Luke 16:1-14 KJV
(1)  And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
(2)  And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
(3)  Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
(4)  I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
(5)  So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
(6)  And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
(7)  Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
(8)  And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
(9)  And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
(10)  He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
(11)  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
(12)  And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
(13)  No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
(14)  And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

Now we see one of the strangest parables Jesus tells--the parable of the unjust steward its called.  Why in the world does Jesus tell a story about a man who essentially stole from his former master, using authority he didn't have, and use him as a commendable example, even though he calls him unjust?  He follows up to the story by saying we should make friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, and if we're faithful in little we'll be faithful in much, because if we can't be faithful in unrighteous mammon how will we be faithful in true riches?  Wait, but wasn't He telling us just a few chapters ago not to worry about how we handle money?  And why then does he follow up the story with the statement that no man can serve two masters, implying you can't serve both money and God, after just telling a story about a shrewd guy who used money to set himself up financially in a better position?  I think part of the key to understanding this is in the phrase: "the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."  We all know Christians who can't handle money very well.  I know of a guy who would brag about his time being homeless when he trusted God to take care of him.  I also knew his pastor who was the means God used to take care of him, because the guy couldn't hold a job and wouldn't use his money wisely when he would get it.  Jesus tells the story about the unjust steward as an example to be shrewd with how we handle money, and is in no way inconsistent with his earlier statements about not trusting in money.
It's easy to see how rich people can make money their god.  They become focused and consumed on their temporary riches.  However, if you're poor, money can also become your god.  I realized this a few years ago, when I was teaching Bible studies and driving all over the place, and going to school, but wasn't working, so money was very tight.  It hit me one day that I had actually developed a stingy attitude.  I would never pay for anyone else, or give generously to anything because I was so worried about not having enough money.  The point Jesus is making in both chapters is that money can't be our focus.  Hoarding it can distract us from Him, and not using it wisely and never having enough can distract us from Him.  Agur makes a good statement that sums up this concept in Proverbs 30:7-9 KJV
(7)  Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
(8)  Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
(9)  Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Paul knew both how to abound and to suffer need, but was content in every situation. (Phil. 4:11-12)  It's why Proverbs can speak of hard, diligent work, but also remind us that riches do not profit in the day of wrath, and warns us against hasting to be rich.  It's why God uses rich men like Abraham and Job as shining examples of faith, but also uses poor people like Lazarus in Jesus' parable later on in Luke 16, or the widow of Zarepath.  It's why Joseph of Arimathea is commended, but the rich young ruler is sent away sorrowful.  The point is that we can't let our focus and our thoughts become so consumed with money that we miss out on working for the kingdom of God.  Our primary focus with money has to be how we can be faithful with what God has entrusted us, so that we can be free to serve the kingdom of God in the best way possible.  I'll finish up with a few verses from Proverbs that may seem at first to be disconnected but actually speak very loudly to this principle.  God calls us to be stewards of His money and to be willing to let it go if He asks us to, willing to give to others sacrificially and trust in Him.  That's what these verses are about, and they are good to keep in mind as we work and live our daily lives.  The point is that God wants us to be generous, and He will take care of the rest.

Pro 11:24-28 KJV

(24)  There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

(25)  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

(26)  He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

(27)  He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

(28)  He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
By the way, after I began thinking about how I needed to let things roll off my back and not become so stressed about money, it hit me again how things always work out.  I received some money as graduation gifts, I was working and made money that way, and even got a check from an inheritance.  I continually received enough so that all my expenses were paid for, and was still able to invest in others by buying them meals or spending it on gas to pick them up or spend time with them.  Even though it was frustrating at the time, the ticket didn't end up being that big of a deal, as I look back on it...there was no reason to stress.  God doesn't want our focus to be taken away from Him because of our money.  Our money is just one of the means we have to serve Him, and if we look at it that way, doing what is necessary to get the money we need, but not worrying about, it removes so much stress and empowers us to be used of God in extraordinary ways.

A Wasted Life for God

Now before you get mad at my strange-sounding title, and yell that nothing done for God is wasted, hear me out, because this post is really about drink offerings.  Confused?  Let me explain.

Admittedly, at first glance, you wouldn't think the Old Testament practice of pouring out two quarts of wine on the altar at the Temple would have a whole lot of relevance to our lives today.  However, I've been thinking a lot about the concept of a drink offering, and it actually has everything to do with every bit of our lives today!

Paul mentions the concept of a drink offering in Philippians 2:17.  The ESV says, "Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all."

I had never studied anything about a drink offering until recently, when a friend mentioned it and the concept is a really cool one!  In the Old Testament, a lot of the sacrifices would be used by the priests as well.  For example, there were certain portions of the meat offerings that were set apart for the priests to eat.  The drink offering, however, is different.  They would pour two whole quarts of wine out on the altar.  I can imagine that to an outside observer that would look like a huge waste.  Why are you just dumping out all this wine?!  And this is what Paul compares his life to in 2 Timothy 4:16.

One story in the Bible that always confused me comes from 2 Samuel 23, when David and his mighty men are fighting the Philistines, and are holed up somewhere else, while the Philistines have a hold on David's hometown of Bethlehem.  At some point, probably right after an exhausting battle, a parched David says something to the effect of, "If only I could have a drink from the well at Bethlehem!"  Three of his mighty men overhear this and actually fight through the entire garrison of the Philistines, risking their lives, get him a cup of water, and fight back through without spilling it!  That is an amazing feat!  The loyalty of these guys to their commander is astounding and inspiring!  

The crazy thing about this story, though, is that when David gets it, he won't drink it, and pours it all out on the ground!  If I was there, I would have been like, "Whaaaaaat?!  Don't waste that!!  We just risked our lives to get that for you!  Where's the gratitude!  Here, I'll drink it!"  This is David's reason though: "He poured it out unto the LORD.  And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it."  He poured it out as a drink offering before the Lord, because that kind of loyalty was only due to One.  I bring this story up to demonstrate a drink offering that seemed like a total waste.

So what does this have to do with us?

Well, we know that we are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord, holy and acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1).  The part that jumps out at me is that Paul refers to himself as a drink offering, which could seem like a waste to someone on the outside.  The implication is that even if people think that pouring out our entire lives for the Lord in the way described in Philippians 2, of being humble, meek, waving our rights, preferring others before ourselves in love, the way that Jesus did, who was poured out all the day long for us--even if everyone else thinks that's a waste, we're willing to do that as a drink offering unto the Lord.  

There are examples in history of people who have done this very thing that inspire me to no end.  Telemachus is one who's life seemed like a waste...but accomplished great good.  (You can read his story on an earlier blog post: Counter Culture) As a relatively recent example, Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Pete Fleming, Roger Youderian and Ed McCully were 5 missionaries who gave up everything to reach the savage Auca tribe in Ecuador who killed everyone who attempted to come in.  They established contact by flying over them in a plane dropping gifts and shouting friendly phrases.  Finally, they landed on a beach in Auca territory, hoping to establish contact.  They met an older woman, a teenage girl, and a young man, and thought everything was going well.  But several days later, their bodies were found floating in the river, shot through with spears, then plane stripped.  Five men, all with wives and young children, and missionary work to do—all dead.  What a seeming waste.  But the doors opened to reach the tribe with this gospel.  Nate Saint’s sister went to live and work with them for many years.  The families forgave the people and won many to Christ.  Jim Elliot is famous for saying, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”

Steve Saint was 5 years old when his father was murdered by the Aucas (or Waorani), and he made this statement, which I love: "Most think that it's OK to go with God's program as long as it fits their program, but I finally decided that I wanted God to write the story, because I know that it will come out best in the end that way."

If we have this mentality, it doesn’t matter what God asks us to do, or if other people think it’s a waste.  This is our reasonable service, to be poured out as a drink offering before Him!

Its a change of mentality that causes me to stop thinking about my own plans and what others think, and makes me want to pour out everything to God.

The perfect example of this, of course, is the lady with the alabaster box who poured the expensive spikenard on Jesus' feet.  The disciples thought it was a waste, but Jesus rebuked them and said, "Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her." (Matthew 26:13). Why was this story to be shared with the entire world, as opposed to other stories like Noah's Ark, David and Goliath, or even Jesus walking on water or feeding the 5,000?  Why was what this woman did so important that it is to be shared wherever the essentials of the gospel are preached?  I believe it's because this is the essence of our response to the gospel.  We have to be willing to pour out our entire lives for Jesus, even if others think it's a waste.  That shows true love, and that's what He loves.

"Truthfulness"--Authority

Truthfulness vs. Deception Meditation Commentary

Truthfulness is communicating by my life and word that which is genuine and accurate.

•“Lord, who shall abide in they tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.”—Psalm 15:1-2

•“The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”—Proverbs 22:19, 22

            It can be tempting to fall into many incorrect mentalities when under authority.  One of the mentalities we often fall into has to do with believing we can shun certain moral responsibilities as long as we are giving the appearance of submitting to authority.  Sometimes it seems easier to simply deceive the authorities over us when we think we know what is best rather than going through the proper channels.  However, if we understand the true principles of authority and submission, and truthfulness vs. deception, we recognize that truthfulness involves openness with authorities.  A definition of integrity that has stuck with me through the years is: ‘doing what is right when nobody else is watching.’  This mean we are not only honest on a surface level when interacting with authorities, but will be open with them on a deeper level, demonstrating truthfulness in our lives even when they are not watching, and refusing to stoop to deception simply because we have an improper understanding of authority.  We think of authorities sometimes as out of touch and lofty—like a king on a throne.  We tell ourselves that they do not really understand our situation, and that we know what is best in this particular instance, and therefore, we deceive them because we believe they will not understand.  Authorities are placed in our lives with their rules and guidelines for a reason, though, and there are practical reasons for the rules, even if we do not understand them.  Children do this with their parents, maybe believing they are justified in staying out later than they are supposed to, or hanging out with people, watching a movie, or going to the mall without permission, but losing credibility with the authority over them because they were not truthful.  A worker may do this with a boss by doing something like making unauthorized decisions, which may even be good decisions, but without openness and truthfulness, doing this could cause problems in the workplace.  This concept does not mean that one cannot disagree with his or her authorities, but that he or she should be truthful with authorities.  If you do not agree with your authorities, rather than going behind their backs, approach them about it.  Oftentimes, authorities are reasonable, but regardless of the situation, it is always better to be honest and upfront, rather than hiding things, which could cause issues when the deception is inevitably brought to light. 

I have a friend who told me a story about this concept which stayed with me.  He was on a missions trip and there was a rule that he could not leave the hotel without someone else accompanying him.  The rule was well-established and he knew it was there, but it was very difficult to find time or a place alone to pray with everyone around, so occasionally, he would take a short walk so he could spend some time alone with God, without asking the group leaders.  He justified it, because, of course, he was doing something good.  But towards the end of the trip he began to be convicted about it, and decided to confess and apologize to the group leader for going off without permission.  The group leader forgave and understood him, and said he wished that the young man would simply have told him, and explained the situation so that they could work something out.  This highlighted what submitting to authorities vs just complying with them really means.  We will not always agree with authorities, and that's okay.  But rather than act like we're submitting to them, and just agreeing with whatever they say, a big part of submission is acknowledging their authority enough to come to them with problems.

In conclusion, be truthful, be honest, and have integrity when relating to authority.

"Keep Your Word"--Authority

Keep Your Word Meditation Commentary

“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.”—Matthew 5:33-37

"And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be." -- Genesis 15:5

            Keeping your word is an important moral obligation to those in authority.  It is easy to understand why authorities should keep their word.  Those in authority have people depending on them, and looking up to them, and are expecting authorities to act in a consistent, honorable, truthful way.  If the authority does not keep his or her word, he or she should not be in authority.  (Sorry, politicians.)    The greatest reason to keep one’s word is, of course, the example of the faithfulness of God—the Ultimate Authority. 

There is also a responsibility to those under authority to keep their word, even if those in authority above them (like politicians or any other leaders) do not.   Authority is for the purpose of leading people and keeping them in line, and things can run smoothly when all parties keep their word.  Each party in a relationship has certain responsibilities and if the one in subjection does not keep his or her word, it is the responsibility of the authority to hold that person accountable.  In our own lives we can see examples of this, because all of us have some authority or level of influence above others at some point, which makes it easier to relate to those above us.  Keeping in mind that we are and will be in authority over others some day is a good motivation to keep our word when we are under authority.  The Bible says he that is faithful in that which is little is faithful also in much (Luke 16:10).  The Golden Rule is very applicable when it comes to keeping commitments and promises to authorities.   However, the Bible also speaks very clearly to those whose authorities are not following the Golden Rule, and insists on honesty and integrity.   Col 3:22-24: “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:  (23)  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;  (24)  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” 1Peter 2:18: “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.”  The admonition to servants applies to anyone under authority.  It also speaks to those of have authority, as most people do in some way, and the importance of keeping their word.  Ephesians 6:9: “And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”  It is important for all both in authority and under it to keep their word so that a healthy relationship can operate.

"Responsibility vs. Unreliability"--Authority

Responsibility vs. Unreliability Meditation Commentary

Responsibility is knowing and doing what God and others are expecting of me.

“Owe no man anything, but to love one another; for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” —Romans 13:8-11

            Responsibility indicates that there is a standard you need to measure up to, and things that are expected of you, which indicates the presence of authority.  Obviously, there are aspects of authority that require responsibility and reliability.  Scenarios involving school, career and parents, are the first that come to mind.   The verses above are interesting in that they highlight the chief aspect of responsibility we have towards other people—which is to love one another.   This can actually be a tough concept to grasp at times.  Sometimes we recognize that we owe people certain things like money, overdue library books, borrowed tools, a favor, a hand, an invitation, respect, time, a paper, a meal, etc., and will agree that people can hold us responsible for not ‘paying’ those things, if we are unreliable in those areas that there is a mutual agreement of responsibility.  A job is a good example.  It is important to be responsible at work because there are agreed upon conditions that if an employer pays the worker a set amount of money, the worker owes the company a certain amount of time.  If a worker does not fit the requirements he or she is responsible for in that job, he or she will be considered unreliable.  How often do we have that mindset regarding love to others, though?  Paul certainly did, as he saw himself as a debtor to all men (Romans 1:14), and the parable Jesus tells in Matthew 18 reinforces the same concept.  Based on the way our Ultimate Authority has treated us, we have a responsibility to treat others the way He wants us to.  If our love for others is conditional and inconsistent, we are unreliable.  Loving others is one of the things that God, as our authority, requires of us.  Responsibility can be a tough thing to grasp or to own up to.  It is not easy to take responsibility for things, but if we see God as an authority, we must acknowledge that there are certain things He requires of us.  (Micah 6:8; Ecclesiastes 12:13)  Easy-believism and a sense of a lack of responsibility is very prevalent in Christian culture, which many people even think is pious because it emphasizes that God does all the work, and do not have to do anything, even choose Him or have faith.  However, if we understand that God is our authority, we understand that while we cannot earn anything from Him, there are certain things He holds us responsible for, as His servants and sons (Mal. 1:6).  Just as the king in Jesus’ parable held the servant, who was forgiven much, accountable for treating the other servant inconsistently in regard to the king’s mercy, God holds us responsible for responding to His grace and love in a child-like and honest and acceptable way.

"Be Reconciled"--Authority

Be Reconciled Meditation Commentary

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” —Matthew 5:23-24

“That they may be one; as thou, Father, art I me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one . . .”—John 17:21-23

            Understanding how to submit to authorities will influence the way you interact in every other relationship.  A lot of times we want to be independent, and stand up for our rights, but when we are in authority under people, we are forced to submit our wills and rights to them.  This is actually good practice for other relationships as well.  Reconciliation requires an attitude of submission.  When we are in a conflict with someone, submitting to one another, (as Ephesians 5:21 says to do), is essential to resolving the conflict.  We have to lay down our own rights and view ourselves as a servant a lot of times when we want to reconcile with people.  It takes humility to admit we are wrong, and even more humility to go to someone and attempt to reconcile when you are still convinced you are right, and the other person has not apologized.  The best example of reconciliation comes from our ultimate authority, who as our Lord and Master, washed our feet (John 13:14).  Our mandate of reconciliation is based on His example.  “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)  Philippians 2 describes the way that Jesus humbled Himself as a servant in order to reconcile us to Him.  We have to do the same thing to reconcile with people.  Preferring others before yourself is a very important act of our Christian life.  When we are under authority, we have to acknowledge the authority as right in many circumstances to keep the job or the peace or whatever the situation is.   If we esteem others as better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3), as we do our authorities, reconciliation becomes a much easier process.

"Self-Control vs. Self-Indulgence"--Authority

Self-Control vs. Self-Indulgence

Self-control is the power of the Holy Spirit that results from passing the tests of the Spirit.

Self-Control vs. Self-Indulgence Meditation Commentary

 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” —Galatians 5:22-25

            It is interesting that these verses describe the fruit of the spirit in conjunction with our responsibility to walk in the spirit and crucify our flesh.  The fact that we have to submit to the authority of the Spirit of God means that we have authority and responsibility, as well.  The difference between self-control and self-indulgence has to do with whether you are valuing your own authority or the authority of the Spirit more. Romans 6:16 says, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?”  Whoever you obey determines whether you are indulging yourself or controlling yourself.  It is easy to indulge ourselves, and obey our own selfish impulses and desires, and it is difficult to suppress those desires.  In fact, we cannot even do it on our own; we need the help of the Spirit.  We do play a role in this though.  The Spirit of God is different from other authorities in that He does not force His will on us.  Rather, He wants us to yield our desires to Him, and yield our bodies to Him so that He can reign in our lives.  Romans 6:12-13 “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”  We have been made alive and justified by the Spirit, but it is now our responsibility to control our own selfish desires.  Again, it is by the Spirit that we are able to do it, but we must yield to that Spirit, and walk in the Spirit, and let Him manifest fruit in our lives.  Fruit like self-control takes a while to mature.  It does not immediately blossom into a fully ripe fruit overnight.  Fruit matures slowly sometimes, and self-control is no exception.  God places us in situations that require self-control, and the trick is learning to yield to Him in those situations and let Him take authority in our lives.