Throwing Money At It

Have you noticed that the world thinks that throwing money at a problem will solve it?

They say we need more money for education, law enforcement, border security, health insurance, and welfare.

This will surely solve our problems.

 

Creating new laws that will change things.

It will protect people and their properties. I also like the phrase, “So it will never happen again.” But it eventually does.

Laws only create more criminals.

 

Christendom has fallen into the same trap.

First, it was bringing bar music into the churches. This should get people excited about serving God. You can go to a rock concert on Saturday and a worship service on Sunday without missing a beat.

 

If we can raise more money we can address these things also.

The churches have created all kinds of programs to meet people’s needs.

Financial, marital, drug and alcohol counseling, men and women issues and even education came under the Christian umbrella.

 

The leaders then had the brilliant idea of functioning like Corporate America with its CEO’s and Board of Directors along with its lavish salaries.

 

This mindset has not worked for the government and it won’t work for the church.

If the goal of the churches is to be an “ABC” church, then they have succeeded.

Attendance.

Buildings.

Cash.

God’s Word has a lot to say about the wisdom of this world.

Jesus saw this when he spoke on the parable of the sower.

And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

Mark 4:19

 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

1 Corinthians 3:18-19

 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Colossians 2:8

 Instead of being like the world shouldn’t we be separate from it?

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 2:12

 

Throwing money at a problem doesn’t resolve it, but throwing oneself into the Word of God will.

We need not function as a social gathering but as the Body of Christ renewing and transforming our minds so we know how God wants us to be involved in His purpose, not the worlds.

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

1 Corinthians 2:6-7

 We have lost our way if meeting people’s physical and emotional needs are more important than their eternal.

To sees Souls saved and Saints edified!

 

 

Things Aren’t Adding Up

When we start learning math skills it’s usually with addition. 1+1=2.

Then someone comes along and tries to prove that 1+1=3.

It never adds up.

Learning and studying Scripture is somewhat the same way.

We see things that add up and then we see things that don’t.

Dealing with the things that don’t add up should be the topic of the churches today; however, the topic is usually swept under the rug or spiritualize or ignored altogether.

 

If you have read and studied Scripture at all you will find that there are contradictions.

Not errors!

 

One, for example, would be works.

James has quite a few things to say about works and faith.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

James 2:14

 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

James 2:17-18

 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

James 3:24

 

Paul, on the other hand, has a different revelation on works.

Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 4:4-5

And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Romans 11:6

 Quite a contradiction here don’t you think? It just doesn’t add up. Then a good Bible student should ask why?

Let’s look at James’ Epistle, the first verse tells us who he is writing to.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James 1:1

 Are you an Israelite, a member of one of the twelve tribes scattered? Most likely you are not.

Paul says he is the Apostle to the Gentiles.

For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

Romans 11:13

Are you a Gentile that Paul is writing to? Most likely you are.

They are two different writers speaking to two different groups of people.

Now the math works 1+1=2.

If you study further you will find two different Gospels with two different doctrines.

When you try and add yourself to where you don’t belong, that’s when 1+1=3.

It just doesn’t add up.

Paul gave us some help in understanding Scripture by writing in 2 Timothy.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15

When you rightly divide Scripture you see that the two different groups of people are Israel and the Body of Christ.

The solution to the problem isn’t addition but right division.
To sees Souls saved and Saints edified!