What I am seeing over the past few years, especially from those around me and those I meet in my work day. There is so much talk on the Bible in reference to basic principles of a foundation of the scriptures, though nothing about it speaks of compassion. There is a saying among charismatics of "all word and no spirit" or just the opposite "all spirit and no word." What I'm seeing is a lack of compassion.
I was reading about a pastor who was to be announced as the new pastor of a particular church of 10,000 or more people and for the last month prior to him being brought into the church, he decided to grow his beard out, wear rags for clothes, everything you would see in a homeless man. The day he was to be announced as the new pastor he entered the church and was told to sit in the back. When he asked for a hand-out nobody gave. When he tried to enter into a conversation with anyone, they shooed his away.
When it came time to call him up to the pulpit, the deacons all had known of his little plot to search the hearts of the membeers of his church and they played along with the surprise, very well. When the pastor got out of his seat and walked down the center aisle of the pews, heads were bowed and tears were noticed by more than just a few faces, when they saw who it was coming down the aisle.
The pastor simply told everybody to go home and decide whether they really wanted to be a part of God's church. That is a hard lesson to learn and one that is better learned here, on earth, before entering into God's kingdom.
Giving is a major part of our commitment to Christ. To give without expecting a return, to give without thought of the deed afterwards, to give so that others may learn about giving as well. Church is not about playing Bible, frankly I've been worn down by all the doctrines I've read and studied over the decades. They are all worn out lectures to many of us.
I know deep down inside me that giving is foremost and I must tell you, I learned this from my wife. I dearly love her giving and her willingness to give both of her time and her possessions. I love her dearly, and she draws me closer to Jesus than anything I could spend time reading or studying about. I thank God for bringing her into my life. She is a doer of the word and a wonderful example of that most important lesson, giving.
I was reading about a pastor who was to be announced as the new pastor of a particular church of 10,000 or more people and for the last month prior to him being brought into the church, he decided to grow his beard out, wear rags for clothes, everything you would see in a homeless man. The day he was to be announced as the new pastor he entered the church and was told to sit in the back. When he asked for a hand-out nobody gave. When he tried to enter into a conversation with anyone, they shooed his away.
When it came time to call him up to the pulpit, the deacons all had known of his little plot to search the hearts of the membeers of his church and they played along with the surprise, very well. When the pastor got out of his seat and walked down the center aisle of the pews, heads were bowed and tears were noticed by more than just a few faces, when they saw who it was coming down the aisle.
The pastor simply told everybody to go home and decide whether they really wanted to be a part of God's church. That is a hard lesson to learn and one that is better learned here, on earth, before entering into God's kingdom.
Giving is a major part of our commitment to Christ. To give without expecting a return, to give without thought of the deed afterwards, to give so that others may learn about giving as well. Church is not about playing Bible, frankly I've been worn down by all the doctrines I've read and studied over the decades. They are all worn out lectures to many of us.
I know deep down inside me that giving is foremost and I must tell you, I learned this from my wife. I dearly love her giving and her willingness to give both of her time and her possessions. I love her dearly, and she draws me closer to Jesus than anything I could spend time reading or studying about. I thank God for bringing her into my life. She is a doer of the word and a wonderful example of that most important lesson, giving.