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SHOULD CHRISTIANS SAVE MONEY

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WISDOM REGARDING MONEY

moneyBy Ken Blue

The Bible may have more to say about money than any other subject. The reason could be because of man’s love for it, and the wickedness perpetrated by many to possess it. The love of money is the root of all evil. We observe this mostly in big business and big government. Wealth and riches should never be the goal of life. Scripture states that many of God’s people have erred from the faith, and brought nothing but sorrow and grief to themselves and those they come in contact with because of their aspiration for money.

On the other hand, God has some positive things to say about the wisdom, the necessity, the value of saving money and how we use it. A good steward will not be greedy for money, nor will he squander it. The believer is a steward of all God gives him and must conduct himself accordingly to be obedient.

I have heard pastors preach against saving money. They tell themselves and their congregation that saving money is a lack of faith and that they should be putting their money in heaven. This teaching and attitude is not scriptural nor is it an act of faith. In fact, it is just the opposite. That teaching is unscriptural and foolish.

Listed below are several proverbs written by Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived:

  • “In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. Proverbs 15:6.
  • A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just. Proverbs 13:22.
  • Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19.
  • There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. Proverbs 21:20.
  • Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. 9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. Proverbs 6:6-11.
  • He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. Proverbs 10:5. 24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: 25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; 28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces. Proverbs 30:24-28.”

It would take volumes to completely deal with the subject of money, but the wise pastor will prepare financially for his church and for his family. He will also help his church members to do the same. It is not a sin to make all the money you can; if you do it honestly. However, you must also be willing to give away all you can for the cause of Christ and save all you can for the future. There is no conflict between these three.

THE BUCK STOPS HERE!

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THE BUCK STOPS HERE!

buckstopsherefrontsmallBy Ken Blue
“The sign “The Buck Stops Here” that was on President Truman’s desk in his White House office was made in the Federal Reformatory at El Reno, Oklahoma. Fred M. Canfil, then United States Marshal for the Western District of Missouri and a friend of Mr. Truman, saw a similar sign while visiting the Reformatory and asked the Warden if a sign like it could be made for President Truman. The sign was made and mailed to the President on October 2, 1945.”

The history of the statement is very interesting. Today, it simply means you must stop putting the blame on others, and take responsibility for that which has been passed on to you. That means, if you are the pastor, the buck stops with you.

Many pastors and Christians are living under a “doomsday” cloud. The attitude is that things are worse than they have ever been, sinners are not being saved, and that Christians have no interest in living for God. Well, we know many churches where the opposite is true. Professions of faith take place every Sunday, new believers are baptized and join the church, and many are involved in serving the Lord.

We would be in denial if we failed to see the evil in the world, but there is also something wrong if we can’t see the working of God in many good churches. We cannot blame society and worldly Christians for all our failures. The buck must stop where it belongs. Good and evil have always run on parallel tracks, and they always have, and always will until the end. That means the two are always present.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]We cannot blame society and worldly Christians for all our failures.[/pullquote]

If people will not listen to you where you are, move to a more fertile field. If you can’t get your people to follow you, improve your leadership or move to another church, if necessary. If you have troublemakers in your church, stop fighting with them. Get them out or win enough young families so you have a majority. Then lead the church on to victory. The buck stops with you.

It is not a sign of failure to relocate. I know pastors who were not able to grow a church in their chosen location; they moved to the other end of town or to another city or state and did a great job.

You must shake off this attitude of negative doom and win families to Christ. It can be done; it is being done, and if you don’t think so, contact me and I will hook you up with churches that are. Don’t blame others for your problems. You are the leader, and the buck stops with you.

WHO CAN UNDERSTAND THE UNKNOWN TONGUE

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GOD WANTS US TO UNDERSTAND

understandBy Ken Blue

“If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?” 1 Corinthians 14:23.

The Sunday morning sermon, in some churches, is like a doctrinal dissertation in a Bible college or Seminary classroom. It is so deep; not even the preacher understands what he is talking about. Paul called this ministry “madness.”

The goal is not to display our Bible knowledge, but to communicate God’s Word so others will understand and obey it. This can only be accomplished when we understand the people to whom we minister and they understand us. Paul said, “…except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken?” 1 Corinthians 14:9.

We would do well to ask, “Is my message prepared for a few ‘deeper life’ Christians, or will the least skilled in the Word of God understand what is said?” Remember, the burden is not on the listener; it is on you. People who can’t understand you will say that you are insane.

DOGS THAT BARK

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DOGS THAT BARK FOR NO REASON

dogsBy Ken Blue

I once owned a shepherd named Max. He was lazy and would lie around most of the day. However, when the sun went down he revived and began his everlasting barking. A neighbor asked “isn’t there anything you can do to keep him quiet?”

I never figure out what Max was barking at, perhaps it was his shadow or the man in the moon. Maybe his barking gave him courage to get through the night. I finally purchased a shock collar and each time he barked, a slight jolt reminded him that he should not yap just to hear himself.

Max has passed on and I have misplaced his collar somewhere, however there are times I wish I could locate it and put it on those people who feel compelled to bark at everything that moves. Perhaps, like Max, they think they will frighten others away, or, they just like to hear themselves. Since they can’t be silenced, we must keep the caravans moving and just let them continue to yap.

HIGH JUMPING AND STRAIGHT WALKING

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ENCOURAGEMENT FOR STRAIGHT WALKING

Straight road
By Ken Blue

Dr. Paul Vanaman was my professor and a dear friend. He spoke at our church on many occasions in the early days of my ministry. I will never forget a statement he made in one of those sermons. He said, “I don’t care how high you jump, what concerns me is how straight you walk when you come down.”

Some of the brethren, I fear, have confused the two. They think high jumping is the same as straight walking. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have seen many who can run, jump, and yell but they don’t tithe when they come down.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]We’ve seen you jump; now let’s see your walk.[/perfectpullquote]

I love excitement in church. Very little plagues Christianity more than a dead, dull, dry service. We are not against jumping high, but we are opposed to that Christianity that fails to walk straight when the dust settles and the shouting is over.

When you come down, do you gossip? Do you attend church regularly? Do you tithe and support missions? Do you read your Bible and serve in your local church? Do you love all the brethren? Are you harboring bitterness and resentment? We’ve seen you jump; now let’s see your walk.