Even though most Christians in the U.S. own a Bible, few
treasure it. In a George Barna survey, only half of evangelical
Christians could name one of the 4 Gospels, only a third knew who delivered the Sermon on the Mount, and most weren't
able to identify Genesis as the opening book. If books, radio, TV, and Internet have made the Bible more accessible to us than any generation in
history, why is biblical illiteracy on the rise? Is it because expository exegesis of the Bible has been replaced with topical, pragmatic ‘sermons.’
In the 16th century, William Tyndale translated the Bible into English so it could be read by the common man. Thus considered a heretic by the Pope, he was burned at the stake. Fast forward 500 years. Unaware of the sacrifices made for them, 21st century Christians now take the Bible for granted.
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| Sharing a Bible |
Tyndale would be glad to find that there are still people in this age who love
the Bible, among them, the persecuted Christians around the world, many of whom can't even afford one of their own. So they memorize it! And as they suffer for
their faith, they recall Scriptures that promise hope, comfort, joy, and real life. They treasure the Word(s) of God beyond anything else. What will it take for American Christians to love the Bible again, to treasure God's Word(s) as our forefathers did (and as the Chinese do)?
There is a reality show on cable TV called “Storage Wars,” where buyers compete with each other to purchase the contents of an abandoned storage
locker in hopes of turning a profit. The gimmick is that once the locker doors
are opened, they only have 5 minutes to survey it for treasures before bidding.
Jesus said "Don't store up treasures here on earth where moths
eat them, rust destroys them, and thieves break in and steal. Store
your treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be
also.” (Matt. 6:19-20).
Until now I never thought of the heart as a storage locker. And in addition to your storage, the psalmist tells us that God is storing up goodness for those who fear Him
(31:19). Just imagine your first 'day' in Heaven: your locker will be opened up and you'll be able to see all your treasures, including the ones God has been storing for you.
As we live in formidable times, it’s not surprising people ask if God is in control. The answer is an unambiguous yes and no. Satan, called the “god of this world” (2 Co 4:4), is presently running rampant ‘on earth.’ John explains, “We know that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). Who can refute it—the world is an evil place, full of sinners and sinful consequences. But in the midst of a sinful world, God controls events and is moving history toward its ultimate; all of Satan’s schemes will be turned around for God’s good.
The truth of God’s Sovereignty is one that mystifies believers, so how could we expect 'pagans' to comprehend it. That didn’t seem to stop Connecticut Republican Senate candidate Richard Mourdock from trying to answer a question about abortion in the event of rape. He said, admittedly clumsily, “life is a gift from God. And, I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.” ‘Oops’ would be an understatement!
Jesus said, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs” (Matt. 7:6). Reconciling God’s loving-kindness and His mercy with his absolute sovereignty is indeed a sacred truth, but it is also a “hard saying.” Did Mourdock err by throwing a pearl to a pig? Of course the “pigs” are the “people who aren't spiritual [and] can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them” (2 Co 2:14). Maybe Mourdock should have been a little ‘slower to speak’ (James 1:19).
I read an article yesterday about about managing your wealth. “Wealth management” is the strategic process of investing your money to get a good return and obtain your life dreams. But before you can manage your wealth, you have to have it! You have to wonder, do the people in Guatemala or Ghana worry how they will manage their wealth!? In the U.S., we are the top 10% of income earners in the world. Using the Occupy movements’ class warfare paradigm (99% vs. 1%) we are the 10% vs. the 90%.
Moreover, we who are born-again believers are not only materially wealthy, we are spiritually wealthy in a nation that is spiritual impoverished. (That guy at work who drives a Mercedes Benz and lives in a million-dollar house may be dying from spiritual malnutrition.)
When people get to my age, they start paying more attention to managing their material wealth. But Christians of every age should be thinking how to manage their spiritual wealth—“our rich and glorious inheritance” (Eph. 1:18). The best spiritual wealth management strategy promises to lay up treasures in heaven. And what is your spiritual currency? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, compassion, grace—and the “good works that will glorify our Father in Heaven” (Matt. 5:16). And here’s the ultimate blessing: we will never run out of God’s riches because “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8). Share the wealth!
Near the end of His earthly journey, Jesus spoke to the disciples, saying “I chose you [and] I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last…” (John 15:16 NLT) Have you experienced those life events when you knew you were having a divine appointment? Altha and I had many during our recent stay in Belize—too many to speak of. But one stands out, above all of them.
On my birthday, we took a half day tour with a guide canoeing through Barton Creek Cave. As our guide led us through the dark labyrinth etched into the mountain by centuries of rushing waters, we shined our lamps on the stalactites, hanging from the cavern ceiling like icicles while bats flew overhead. It was an amazing tour. But that was not God’s appointment. Crossing paths with our guide Anastacio was.
After the tour, we learned that Anastacio was a brother in Christ. And as he shared his faith journey with us, it was evident that God had sent us there for more than a cave tour through Barton Creek! He had sent us to encourage this Belizean man who believed God was calling him to start an English speaking church in San Ignacio. But lacking the training necessary to become a pastor he was not sure what to do. Well, guess what!? Today we are sending Anastacio a package with our books, and the DVDs and CDs of the Treasures of Truth. Pray for him as studies these life-changing truths. Remember what I said before we left for Belize? ‘The Lord will direct our steps.’ (Proverbs 16:9). He surely did! Meeting Anastacio was definitely a divine appointment.
