If I Could Only…
How many times has someone said this? “If I had a million dollars I would give one hundred thousand dollars toward some benevolent work of God… (Or) If I could get all the hungry people into my dining room I would feed them.” This is the sentiment of someone who would have a difficult time giving ten dollars to the needy or invite one starving person to his home.
It is a cop out. No matter how thin you slice the bologna sausage it is still bologna sausage!
The Lord does not require that which is impossible of any one. Some in the Christian community think He requires a tithe (tenth) of what’s left over after the bills are paid. Some think it is a tenth of his net wages some think it is a tenth of the gross. What scripture says about giving is very simple:
“I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
The opening sentences were written and they are offered by those who say them as a cop out. Everyone knows he can not give what he does not have. It is an attempt to leave those within hearing distance with the impression he would.
Anecdotal references are often offered as material evidence of ones intent and is only worth little; however, once in a while it does drive home a point.
Once upon a time there was a missionary, a medical doctor, who had given up a very lucrative practice, sold his personal possessions to equip himself and his family to embark upon a selfless career among a people in a remote land who could never repay him for his services. He was making an appeal to churches and individuals to gain support.
There was such a person as described above who after listening to that missionary’s appeal for the good work he had embarked upon (In order to impress the missionary and salve his own conscience) said, “I just wish I could find a way to help!”
The missionary wisely but simply replied, “if you sincerely have a desire to help you will find a way.”
Only after a long time of suffering agony while he wrestled (See Genesis 32: 24-25) with his own lust and greed before God he found it! As an added bonus he also found a blessing, “the peace of God that passes all understanding!”
“A word to the wise…”
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