The Truth In Print Vol. 19
Issue 4, May 2013
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
When Means Are Limited or Insufficient
The Creditor Is Coming, 2 Kings 4:1-7.
We read here about a
widow’s cry for help in distress or need. Some say according to the law the
creditor could take her sons to be servants until the year of Jubilee (cf. Lev.
25:39-41). She pled with the prophet on the basis of her husband’s faithfulness;
she got help.
There is no “Jubilee” relief for poverty
today under New Testament law, for there is no theocracy as found in the Mosaic
system for the Jews. There can be a debt so large that it seems impossible that
one could repay it (cf. Matt. 18:24 ~ 10,000 talents is estimated between
$10M to $12M). At
times our own civil law in various ways provides “relief” of debt. This can do away with a lot of “stress” on
the one in debt, as well as relieve others seeking to help without knowing the
facts. At times there is that
“haunting” situation that just repeats itself month after month
when there is no real solution in sight.
Help doesn’t always come just in the form of
“giving” one money or just by possessing money that
can vanish quickly. We should know what sustains us in times of distress. Integrity along with God’s counsel is the key
(cf. Psa. 25:14, 21). Proverbs 15:22 presents “consultation” without which
plans are frustrated, but by which they succeed. Compare the tall tales of the
infrequent visitor who lies to get help. My “favorite” is the self called air
line pilot who flew in again last year having skipped a couple of years — he
called the office and began with the same “Hot Air” he used the first time. I
recognized the pitch and told him “I am familiar with your line. You tried that
one on me before.” It is not “his” distress that is of concern here but the
faithful.
When Means Are Limited
or Insufficient
Some passages often overlooked are those from the Law
that show God’s understanding when means are limited.
For the trespass offering it says “But if he cannot afford a lamb, then he
shall bring to the LORD his guilt offering for that in which he has sinned, two
turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a sin offering and the other for a
burnt offering” (Lev. 5:7). And, if even that is beyond his ability this is
followed with: “But if his means are insufficient for two turtledoves or two
young pigeons, then for his offering for that which he has sinned, he shall
bring the tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a sin
offering; he shall not put oil on it or place incense on it, for it is a sin
offering” (Lev. 5:11). Of course, whether poor or not one was certainly guilty
(cf. Lev. 5:19).
Consider the leper when cleansed: “But if he
is poor and his means are insufficient, then he is to take one male lamb for a
guilt offering as a wave offering to make atonement for him, and one-tenth of
an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain
offering, and a log of oil, and two turtledoves or two young pigeons which are
within his means, the one shall be a sin offering and the other a burnt
offering. … He shall offer what he can afford, the one for a sin offering and
the other for a burnt offering, together with the grain offering. So the priest
shall make atonement before the LORD on behalf of the one to be cleansed” (Lev.
14:21-22,31). Lev 14:32 says "This is the law for him in whom
there is an infection of leprosy, whose means are limited for his cleansing.”
The avenue for cleansing was available for all — God does not show partiality!
Lev. 27 concerns the matter of redeeming
difficult vows. Rather than the set
valuation by age (see 3-7) it states, “But if he is poorer than your valuation,
then he shall be placed before the priest and the priest shall value him;
according to the means of the one who vowed, the priest shall value him” (Lev.
27:8). The poor is in no wise exempt from paying; to prevent the rash statement
of vows they too were rated and paid!
Should poor Christians give? Absolutely!
(cf. I Cor. 16:2 “each one”; 2 Cor. 8:1-4). Jesus commended the widow who cast
into the treasury all she had to live on that day (cf. Lk.
21:1-4). Her benefactor was the Lord. The two mites she cast in make a cent
(cf. Mk. 12:41-44). She gave out of her poverty (want, falling behind, falling
short); she trusted in God’s plan and gave to God first to reverence Him. The
amount was 1/64 of a denarius which was one days wage for a common laborer (cf.
Matt. 20:2). Christ said she gave “more” --- God sees percentages and He make
comparisons -- the praise is she gave though poor – He didn’t say she shouldn’t
have. A rich man who gave little is not here either. Giving that is done
grudgingly, of necessity or to be seen of men is not acceptable (cf. 2 Cor. 9:7-8; Matt.
6:1-3).
Jacob’s Example Though Not Financial
Distress
1. Prepare as you can (Gen. 32:6-8).
2. Entreat God on the basis
of what He has said (Gen. 32:9). Compare Ps. 25:14, “He will show them His
covenant.”
3. Give God and others
humility based upon your own past mistakes (Gen. 32:10). This is very important
so compare Ps. 25:18.
4. Ask for deliverance
and state your fears to God (Gen. 32:11-12.
Dispense With the “Games”
1. Boasting over the use of tricks and frauds (Pr.
20:14).
2.
Hoarding to your own hurt (Eccles. 5:13).
3.
Never being satisfied thus depriving self of pleasure in life (Eccl. 4:8). For
a lifetime! (Eccl. 5:17).
4.
Waste (Pr. 21:20).
5.
Conceit and trust in riches (I Ti. 6:17-19).
6.
Sinning though having little — theft, the sluggard and the wasteful who
“strips” others (Prov. 21:25;13:14; 19:15, 26; 30:15).
Not Pretending To Be Poor
Pro 13:7 There is one who
pretends to be rich, but has nothing; Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.
Luk 12:33 "Sell
your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear
out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth
destroys.”
Luk 12:34
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
He knew their hearts!
Knowing Why One Is Experiencing a Hard Time Can Help
Psa 69:5
O God, it is You who knows my folly, And my wrongs are not hidden
from You.
Psa 69:6 May those who wait for You not be
ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; May those who seek You not be
dishonored through me, O God of Israel,
Psa 69:7
Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; Dishonor has covered
my face.
Not Being Hard To Deal With (Rom. 12:11)
We all have the responsibility to please the Lord in all
respects (Col. 1:10). Each one of us has capacity to serve distinctly —
service, teaching, exhorting, giving, showing mercy, perseverance, prayer,
meeting the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality, etc. (Rom. 12:6-13).
Rom. 12:11
enjoins “not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord”
upon all regardless of financial status. The word “lagging behind” (okneros, G. 3636) means slow, tardy, slothful, lazy. One synonym for the word is simply “hard to deal
with”.
If One Desires God’s Help They Must Respect the Truth of God’s Word (Heb.
4:16)
Grace, mercy and peace, Heb. 4:16, come in truth and love (2 Jo. 1:3). John mentions
truth again in 2 Jo. 1:4 and love in truth in 1:5. He defines love as walking
according to His commandments (1:6). Practicing righteousness goes with asking
and receiving, because we do love in deed and in truth (cf. I Jo. 3:7, 22, 18).
Counsel Is
Part of the Truth of God’s Word
1. Pro 15:22 “Without
counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors they are
established.” Here the value of “going to” or “setting down with” faithful
brethren is seen.
2. This takes “humility” and not being hard to deal with
(See Rom. 12:11 above).
3. Romans 12:10 tells us to give preference to our brethren — we should
value one another’s counsel. It tells us to listen to wise counsel!
Wrongful Attitudes When Others Are Asked
Or Desire
To Help
1. It has to be all MY way!
2. When brethren say
“Let’s talk some about this” — that doesn’t mean you get mad as if that means
your needs don’t matter to them.
3. “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth
him: neither will he go unto the wise” (Pr.
15:12).
God Knows One’s Income
Past & present income
Retirement
Inheritance
Property & Income Property
Savings
Investments
Keep Seeking the Things Above, Col. 3:1-3.
1. Seek First the Kingdom, Matt. 6:33.
2. Necessities will be
provided, Matt. 6:33.
3. Avoid too much worry
(anxiety), Matt. 6:34.
4. Give to honor God (Lk. 21:2; 2 Cor. 8:12).
5. The local church
helps its own, Acts 4:35.
6. Do good especially to
those of the household of faith, Gal. 6:10; I Jo. 3:17; Ja. 2:12-16.
7. Seek and accept help
other than monetary, Pr. 15:22.
By Bob Lovelace
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To
learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com