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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Last week we considered a radical and revolutionary concept of total self-abandonment in the cause of Christ. Our response to his invitation of, “Come, follow me,…” Matthew 4:19 & 16:24; culminating in our sharing in the things he deems important, becoming “fishers of men.” Oddly enough, our desire to make it on our own – providing for ourselves and our families – often gets in the way of a life dedicated to Christian service quicker than anything else. (See Deuteronomy 6:10-14) The idea of prosperity often enticing us to violate the 1Commandment prohibiting the worship of any other god. (Deuteronomy 5:7 Anything or anyone gaining prominence over God in any way becoming a rival to him.)
“Following Jesus means being willing to cast aside anything he tells us to abandon. It means trusting God alone for all that we need, pouring ourselves out to serve others, focusing our lives on things eternal rather than temporal. It means absolute, total commitment. And for anyone who longs for salvation, it is not optional.”1 (See Philippians 3:7-11) For, “All our efforts to produce and save wealth, whatever their immediate rewards, will come to naught in the long run if we do not humbly submit to the rule of God in our lives.”2
One of the most common and damaging heresies of Christian history is that Jesus can be our Savior without being our Lord; anything or anyone else taking his place as Lord of our lives dividing our loyalty and hampering, if not crippling, our usefulness to his kingdom. Money being, “…a root of all kinds of evil.”; tempting many to wander from the faith. (1 Timothy 6:9,10) The Lord our God being a jealous God. (Exodus 20:5 & Deuteronomy 4:24); refusing to share his glory with anyone or anything else. (Is. 42:8) Scripture waring, “…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire… He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.” Hebrews 1:7,8 (Delivering a solemn warning even to believers concerning what they “build” their lives on. See 1 Corinthians 13:10-15)
The solution to the temptation of self-reliance and neglect of duty is discipline in prayer (Psalm 63:11), study of God’s Word (Psalm 119:11), recognition of and submission to the spiritual guidance of mature mentors (Ephesians 4:11-16 & 5:21) and intentional obedience to God’s will. Again, scripture cautioning us to, “Choose life… listen to his voice… hold fast…” (Deuteronomy 30:19,20 & 2 Thessalonians 2:15) For, “When we intentionally invest our best time and energy in pursuing God in scripture and prayer, we show that our treasure is in God. (But) when we put off the pursuit of God until it becomes convenient, we put off spiritual maturity.”3 (Luke 9:59-62) Paul encouraging believers to engage in a completely different kind of life where we “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves… look(ing) not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3,4 (See also Romans 12:9-21)
Giving, serving, putting Jesus first, Others next and Yourself last is not merely a fanciful play on words, true JOY being found in putting others first, regardless of what we may be experiencing at the moment; many people insisting that the surest way to rid themselves of concern over family difficulties and financial worries is to give – materially and personally – more than they believed they could afford. By doing so, obeying a “command” Paul advised Timothy to make of those under his ministry, writing “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us everything for our enjoyment. (Many of us not feeling rich, but compared to the rest of the world, our poor are enviable and the rest of us live in varying degrees of luxury.) Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19 Scripture citing this principle numerous times, as in “…do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 Paul reminding us that, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6 Encouraging us to, “…just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7 (See also Galatians 6:7-10)
Here’s a novel idea: Could it be that the new job or promotion with additional pay God has blessed you with is intended for use in ministry instead of being spent on yourself? Again, Paul asserting that, “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion,… ” 2 Corinthians 9:11
And of course, the only absolute example of selflessness for us to emulate would be, “…Jesus Christ: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,… Philippians 2:6,7 “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lost heart.” Hebrews 12:3 (See verse 4 as well) Let us strive then to become the mirror image of our Savior, who gave his all to ensure we could enjoy the blessings of the here-and-now as well as the here-after.
1From E.C. Beisner’s, Prosperity and Poverty pg. 23
2 pg. 102
3 pg. 25
Crossway Books
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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