When you go to a doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, "Does this hurt? How about this?" If you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed too hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there's something wrong, and the doctor will say, "We'd better do some more tests. It's not supposed to hurt there!" So it is when pastors preach on financial responsibility, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the pastor has pushed too hard. Or perhaps there's something wrong. In that case, I say, "My friend, we're in need of the Great Physician because it's not supposed to hurt there."
- Ben Rogers.
- Ben Rogers.
Joshua 8:27 But Israel did carry off for themselves the livestock and plunder of this city, as the Lord had instructed Joshua.
In the victory of Jericho, the Lord had commanded Joshua to bring all the plunder into God's treasury. Perhaps it looked very selfish on God that He did not share anything with the people. But after the victory of Ai, Israelites had everything to themselves. Now, this is sometimes hard to understand that what you possess you shall lose and that you give is what you gain.
At Jericho God was just reminding the people when you give it all to me you shall have more victories. And you can keep it all. But think of poor Achan who thought of robbing God by hiding a few for himself. He not only lost his life but also put the people of God in big trouble. It takes a lot to give. But when you are able to give, you won't have enough space to keep. God gave His son, the best of heaven for you and I. That's His love for us. How do we honor him back? Let's also give the best.
Stanley Thomas Isac
Stanley is serving as the Pastor of Crossway Church in New Delhi, he can be reached at stanleytisac@gmail.com
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