Slumdog Millionaires

Here's the "equation" for God's "economy" . . .

JESUS PLUS NOTHING = EVERYTHING!

In these economic times, one may be tempted to believe, or hear, that God will take care of their needs (financial, emotional even physical) IF they tithe faithfully their 10% or beef up their offerings. You can watch testimony after testimony on the television (right before they ask you to join their ministry, of course) of people who made great financial "choices," giving their last dollar to the church and THEN . . .God paid all their bills off, or their failing business excelled, or their sicknesses went away. I don't doubt God did these things for them. But I do doubt that He did these things for them BECAUSE they did something first, because Salvation (eternal, financial, physical, emotional . . . ) is a GIFT AND A GIFT CANNOT BE EARNED.

Every spiritual first-grader knows that we cannot merit God's favor. God is not for sale to the highest bidder nor can we earn His favor by our own effort or works.

We cannot "buy" God's protection and help. If you give, or tithe, because you believe you'll earn a reward or out of fear that God won't take care of you. . . . this = legalism. It's the "If . . . then" vs "Yea and Amen" never-ending battle.

In any teaching or testimony, if your presented with the idea or notion that emphasizes success through YOUR tithe, offering, "seed money," great discipline and/or devotion . . . even success through YOUR great faith, it aims the glory at YOU. BUT, faith in God's grace and in the gift of His Righteousness and Divine Providence and Protection glorifies God, because A GIFT CANNOT BE BOUGHT OR EARNED; it can only be received. Our pride always wants to make this all about "us," but it's not.

I have Good News! Jesus fulfilled the Law and all the Old Testament promises, qualifications and requirements. And now, because "It is finished", all we can do is ASK! As a Believer in Christ, a Child of God, you are automatically covered. And Jesus said so many times and in so many ways through the Gospel (the Good News) that if we ask IN HIS NAME, it will be given to us. What child asks for a piece of bread and has to earn it first for his father to feed him? Or protect him? If we, who are evil, do not place these heavy yokes and requirements upon our own children, who are we to believe God is this way? How many times, in the midst of rebellion and doubt, has the Lord's loving kindness overwhelmed you. His undeserved mercy endures forever. And it's because of the mercy of God alone, that we have air to breathe. It's because of the mercy of God in His Son that we have such a RICH INHERITANCE! It's all been GIVEN TO US. All we "do" is believe.

Obeying the Holy Spirit, we give as led, out of joy because He let's us see who He is. If you have two coats and the Lord tells you to give one to someone who has none . . . WOW! how this glorifies Him. But we don't give the coat because we hope the Lord is watching and He will now take care of our needs. This is offensive to the Spirit of Grace.

You can't bribe God. During the time of Martin Luther, the Roman Catholic Church was notorious for its widespread practice of selling indulgences. The people were taught to believe that by giving to the church, they could obtain God's favor. Teaching that God gives special attention or favor because of anything YOU do, is false teaching. God is completely satisfied with Jesus and now, through Christ, we are highly favored.

This global financial crisis will hit the structured church as well. It may even re-shape it. It could tear down the many religious addends and do a major mega shift back to the early home churches of the New Testament. No longer will the tithe be required to maintain the building, pave a parking lot, pay salaries or sponsor missionaries. Re-structured, if every member of the church started their own neighborhood house church and became lighthouses for their neighborhood . . . the ten to 15 Believers gathering in each home could take a free-will collection and use it ALL on benevolence! "Church" and the church structure as we know it today may change too because of the crisis God is allowing on the earth.

When Paul addressed the stoic philosophers on Mars Hill and sought to describe the difference between the true God and their many idols, he told them this about God: "He gives to all life, breath, and all things" (Acts 17:25). What sets God apart from all other gods is that He is a Giver. What utter blasphemy, then, to suggest that God can be bribed to favor us by our giving to Him! Ministers who teach this "give-to-get" doctrine and TV hosts who invite them on their telethons need to heed the warning of the apostle James, "Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment" (James 3:1). We have freedom to exhort teachers to be accountable, because many spoon-feed the sheep high toxic levels of legalsim. Better for a millstone to be tied around their necks, than to let even one of God's little ones' faith be damaged.

Please allow me to glorify this good news and the mercy of God a step further. . . Scripture and experience reveal to us all that God even takes care of the wicked . . . His Love is unconditional.

James 5:45 says, "for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." He tells us to love our enemies and do good to those who hurt us because that's how He is. He sent His Son, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS. While we were in enmity and hostile toward God, he sent His one and only beloved and perfect Son to GIVE US THE KINGDOM AND ALL IT'S RICHES. How much more, now being justified, will He give us all things.

I guess what's on my heart is for His people to know the Good News, the Truth, and find relief . . . especially now during great economic trials and hardships. Your walk with the Lord, your faith, is intensely personal. Stay convinced that His love, salvation, provision, protection, His constant care of you is free because of Jesus. . . paid in full. Just ask Him. Don't come under any "doctrine of demons" and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Just give as the Holy Spirit directs, walk by faith, and remember that the only Christian "duty" assigned to us by Christ Himself is to LOVE.

Words from two hymns come to my heart regarding these times. . .

'TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS

Just to rest upon His promise,

O for grace to trust Him more!

Just from Jesus simply taking

Life and rest, and joy and peace.

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth,

Will grow strangely dim,

In the Light of His Glory and Grace!

Just recently I got to see the movie, "Slumdog Millionaire." I want to indulge in an allegory. . . . THE TRUTH IS, WE ARE ALL SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRES! WE ALL COME FROM THE SLUM OF OUR SIN AND SELF, FROM THE SLUM OF THIS FALLEN NATURE AND WORLD. BUT, WE'VE BEEN GIVEN THE ONE AND ONLY ANSWER! AND AT THE NAME OF JESUS, WE ARE ETERNAL MILLIONAIRES!