Giving With the Right Attitude

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

 

2 Corinthians 9:7

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of ^[c]necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

(NKJV)

 

The topic of giving in the Church is one many ministers avoid out of fear the congregation will believe he is trying to collect contributions to the Church to line his own pockets. While this may not be the case, some in the church may have experienced having their money grudgingly taken from them through Coercion, fear tactics, or guilt. In this post, we will address what it means to be a cheerful giver giving with thanksgiving out of a love for Christ.

 

Paul begins this text by reminding the Corinthians of the law of sowing and reaping, something people living in an agrarian society would have understood (2 Corinthians 9:6). However, a giver who gives cheerfully from the goodness of his or her heart and not grudgingly or out of necessity pleases God (2 Corinthians 9:7). Giving with this attitude ensures the giver’s needs are met and that he or she has an abundance to give to every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). It will be said of one giving with this attitude that he gave abroad, to the poor, and that his righteousness will endure forever (2 Corinthians 9:9).

 

Paul then asks that God, the supplier of seed for the sower and bread for food, multiply the seed sown and increase the fruits of righteousness in the hearts of the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 9:10). The enrichment of God that comes through liberal giving should cause thanksgiving to God (2 Corinthians 9:11). The administration of this gift from the Corinthians not only supplies the needs of the one receiving the gift but abounds in many thanksgivings to God (2 Corinthians 9:12). The liberal gift shared by the Corinthians also brings glory to God as a confession to the Gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 9:13). Along with giving, the Corinthians pray for the recipients of the gift because of God’s exceeding grace (2 Corinthians 9:14). Paul ends the text by thanking God for the gift (2 Corinthians 9:15).

 

Paul wants to ensure those giving are doing so with the right attitude. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 Paul urges the Corinthians to give as they purpose in their hearts and not grudgingly out of duty to the Church or necessity or something done to avoid guilt. Instead giving should produce thanksgiving to God as the needs of the saints are met (2 Corinthians 9:12). God gave us his gift of salvation with exceeding grace and wants us to give to him with the same level of grace and gladness.

 

Give as God moves upon our hearts and not out of fear, guilt, or coercion. Unfortunately, the lukewarm, consumeristic, and compromising Church today often resorts to these tactics to raise larger contributions.

 

1. Coercion in the lukewarm Church – In Revelation 3:14-22, the Bible introduces us to the lukewarm Church of Laodicea. The attitude of this Church was a belief they did not need anything due to their riches and wealth (Revelation 3:17). There are Churches in existence today that support a prosperity gospel teaching that anyone having faith in Jesus Christ will become rich by giving to the Church using scriptures like Luke 6:38 as a foundation. This scripture is taken out of context for the verse preceding it speaks of passing judgment, so the giving spoken of is not money but judgment (Luke 6:37). While Scripture does not tell us if the Laodicean church supported a similar prosperity gospel but a needy person coming to the Laodicean church might have felt coerced to give to become wealthy like those in the Church. Also, a church trusting in its wealth and riches would not have wanted a needy person in its congregation unless they became a contributor.
2. Fear in the Consumerist Church – A consumerist church is a church that functions as a business and speaks of its focus on Christ and the Bible but has a business-like focus on fundraising and programs that focus on meeting the needs of congregants seeing them as consumers. Fundraising in these churches can resort to fear tactics that cause people to give out of fear of losing a program that makes them feel good or fear the church will need to close its doors for lack of money.
3. Guilt in the compromising Church – A consumerist church can become a compromising church that fears taking a stand on an ungodly issue like abortion, gay marriage, or transgenderism fearing loss of membership by offending someone. The problem with this compromising strategy is it offends true believers who worship the Lord in Spirit and truth (John 4:24) who are probably the core financial support of the church. The mission of the Church is not entertaining congregants like customers of a business but spreading the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), for which there is no compromise. The guilt in the compromising Church in regards to giving is in not supporting preaching against sin that may alienate people from joining and contributing to the Church.

 

If you are reading this post and have been alienated from the Church and Christ by coercion, fear, or guilt to contribute to the Church, I urge you to pray for the forgiveness of sin and to make Jesus your savior. I do not want or need your money and am only interested in sharing the truth of God’s Word and for you to Make Jesus your savior so you can spend eternity with Jesus. I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

A Lamentation for Israel and Warning for the Church

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 19:1-14

 

Ezekiel 19:13-14

And now she is planted in the wilderness,
In a dry and thirsty land.
¹⁴ Fire has come out from a rod of her branches
And devoured her fruit,
So that she has no strong branch—a scepter for ruling.

(NKJV)

 

The nation of Israel in the Bible symbolizes an individual and a nation’s relationship with God. It is God’s intention for all individuals and nations to live in obedience to the Lord and His Word but like Israel individuals and nations fall into disobedience and suffer the consequences. Ezekiel 19:1-14 uses the symbolism of a lion and a vine to illustrate the fall of Israel’s leadership and nation from obedience to God, leading to the consequence of exile. The modern Church must learn from Israel’s examples or suffer the consequence of going into the exile of insignificance.

 

This passage begins with the Lord telling Ezekiel to take up a lamentation for the princes of Israel (Ezekiel 19:1). The lamentation begins with the mother of Israel symbolized as a lioness, lying down with the lions and nourishing her cubs among the young lions (Ezekiel 19:2). One of her cubs became a young lion that learned to hunt prey and devour men but when the nations heard of him, they trapped him in their pit, bringing him with chains to Egypt (Ezekiel 19:3-4).

 

When the lioness heard of this, she lost hope and took another one of her cubs and made him a young lion who roved among the lions and learned to hunt prey and devour men (Ezekiel 19:5-6). This young lion knew the desolate places of the enemy and laid waste their cities with the land desolated by the noise of his roaring (Ezekiel 19:7). In response to this, the nations came against him from every side, spreading their nets over him, trapping him in their pit (Ezekiel 19:8). The young lion was put in a cage and brought to the king of Babylon so that his voice was no longer heard on the mountains of Israel (Ezekiel 19:9).

 

The symbolism now switches from the mother of Israel as a lioness to a vine in Israel’s bloodline that was fruitful and full of branches because it was planted by many waters (Ezekiel 19:10). The vine became strong with strong branches for scepters of rulers, towering above the dense foliage (Ezekiel 19:11). However this strong vine was plucked up in fury, cast to the ground, with the east wind drying her fruit. Her once strong branches were broken and withered with fire consuming them (Ezekiel 19:12). Instead of her planting among many waters, she is planted in the wilderness of a dry and thirsty land (Ezekiel 19:13). Fire has come out from a rod of her branches, devouring her fruit, and leaving her with no strong branch or scepter for ruling (Ezekiel 19:14).

 

Once again, the Lord gives Ezekiel a word for the people that uses imagery to illustrate the extent of Israel’s fall from a great and powerful people of the Lord to a nation going into exile as a consequence of their sin (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Not only did the Lord through Moses warn Israel of the consequences of disobedience before entering the promised land, but God sent prophets to warn them and remind them of these consequences.

 

1. Micha warned Israel of exile to Babylon with the promise of their return (Micha 4:10).
2. Jeremiah gave numerous warnings about exile (Jeremiah 25:8-14, 29:10-14, 52:28-30).
3. Isaiah warned King Hezekiah that all he so proudly displayed to the Babylonians would be taken away along with his fellow countrymen (Isaiah 39:5-8).

 

This imagery from Ezekiel illustrates the downward spiral of Israel due to their continued disobedience with God showing mercy with his many warnings. Unfortunately, the warnings fell on deaf ears and the nation suffered 70 years of exile.

 

The lukewarm, compromising, and consumerist Church of today must repent or suffer the consequences of the exile of insignificance. Today’s Church is,

 

1. Lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22) – Similar to the Laodicean Church, Many Churches today are prideful, finding comfort in their riches and wealth and believe they need nothing (Revelation 3:17). What this Church lacks is the power of God through worship in the power of the Holy Spirit and the uncompromising truth of the Word of God (John 4:24). The early Church turned its world upside down, or right side up depending on your perspective, with the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, and not their riches, power, and wealth (Acts 17:6).
2. Compromising (Romans 12:1-2) – Romans 12:1-2 occurs after Paul explains what it is to live for Christ in the first eleven chapters of Romans. His words are clear instructing God’s people not to conform to the world but to experience transformation through the renewing of their minds. Paul is not speaking of a woke mental transformation compromising on foundational biblical truths regarding gender, marriage, and the sanctity of life (Genesis 2:24, 5:2,9:6), but a transformation through the study of the Word of God, bringing liberty (John 8:32; Proverbs 4:5). 
3. Consumerist Church (2 Timothy 4:3-4) – Similar to how one measures business growth, the world measures Church growth by numbers. A Church is successful if it has large numbers of members, fills large arena-sized auditoriums, and amasses great wealth through contributions. There is no mention of numbers in the great commission of the Church but a call to spread the Gospel, make disciples, and be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). I wonder how many true disciples of Christ are in the congregation of the mega-churches of today and even if there is a true disciple of Christ in the pulpit.

 

This is a call to the Church of today to repent of its lukewarmness, compromising, and consumeristic ideas of growth and return to the lifting up of Christ in spirit and truth (John 12:32). If you are reading this and have drifted from a relationship with Christ or never prayed for forgiveness from sin and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Giving: Administration of the Gift

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:1-5

 

2 Corinthians 9:7

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

(NKJV)

 

The secular world can view the Church as an institution collecting contributions from the congregation and lining their own pockets with the cash to live lavishly. Sadly, church history has instances where pastors have lived lavishly on the contributions of their congregation instead of using these funds to advance the spread of the Gospel. In this text we see Paul giving instructions to the Church in Corinth as to how to administer the gift they had collected so no shame comes to the Church. Each Church must have controls in place to ensure contributions go to where contributors believed they would go.

 

The text begins with Paul stating it is superfluous for him to write to the Church of Corinth about giving and the gift they had collected (2 Corinthians 9:1). Paul was aware of the Corinthian’s willingness to give and was something he boasted about to the Macedonians (2 Corinthians 9:2). Still, the Apostle Paul felt it necessary send men to Corinth to ensure his boasting was not in vain (2 Corinthians 9:3). These men were to ensure the Church was ready to send the gift they had collected as promised so as not to disgrace Paul and themselves due to Paul’s boasting (2 Corinthians 9:4). Paul also wanted to ensure the gift was one of generosity from the heart and not a grudging obligation (2 Corinthians 9:5).

 

Paul has boasted to the Macedonians about the generosity of the Corinthian’s gift and wants to be sure it is ready and given as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. To avoid disgracing himself and the Corinthians, he sent brethren to collect the gift, so the administration of the gift comes from a heart of generosity and not grudgingly. The shame he wants to avoid is the shame that would come if they appeared unprepared by the Macedonians who came with Paul. While this unpreparedness could be due to a lack of organization, it could appear that the Corinthians are giving in a grudging manner.

 

Giving is not a grudging duty a Christian must do for acceptance in the Church but is instead an act of generosity given from a generous heart. Lack of organization in administering a gift does not necessarily mean the gift is given grudgingly but could indicate a lack of administrative organization within the Church. While the Church’s main focus must be on spreading the Gospel and making disciples (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), it must also be organized in the administering of gifts given to the Church to avoid embarrassment and shame by not properly administering gifts given to the Church.

 

Unfortunately, Church history is full of cases involving the misappropriation of contributions bringing embarrassment to the ministry. In the business world, controls are in place to ensure those collecting or spending money are not involved in accounting for it. In the Church, the pastor should not be involved with the accounting of funds like knowing who is giving and how much. This ensures the pastor does not resort to the use of fear, guilt, or coercion to entice people to give more. Pastors must also avoid the temptation to soften their message so they do not offend contributors who may leave, taking their contributions with them.

 

Perhaps you are reading this and have experienced fear, guilt, or coercion used to entice you to give grudgingly or know someone who has. This may have led you to walk away from the Church or God or caused you to never ask God to forgive your sins or make Jesus the Lord of your life. I urge you not to allow some misguided Church leader to prevent you from making the most important decision of your life but to pause and pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Life Through Repentance

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 18:19-32

 

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(NKJV)

 

We live in a culture where being a victim is an excuse for deviant behavior. Sadly, the use of victimization leads to one not turning from their sins to God through repentance and instead finding comfort in using their status as a victim as an excuse for their behavior. Apparently, a similar victim mentality was prevalent in Judah at the time of Ezekiel, leading to the refuting of a parable teaching each person was on edge due to the sins of their fathers (Ezekiel 18:1-3). The Biblical truth is that everyone is responsible for his or her own sins and has a path to salvation through Christ.

 

Due to the belief in the refuted proverb, the people of Judah believed a son shall bear the guilt of his father’s sin even though the son has kept all the Lord’s commandments (Ezekiel 18:19). The word of the Lord goes on to say that the soul who sins shall die with the son not bearing the guilt of his father (Ezekiel 18:20). The word goes on to teach that if a wicked man turns from his sins and lives obediently to the Lord, none of his previous transgressions will be remembered and he shall live (Ezekiel 18:21-22). It is not the Lord’s desire that any die in their sins (Ezekiel 18:23; 2 Peter 3:9). However if a righteous man turns from his righteousness to commit sin, should he live because of his prior righteousness? The answer is no for just as the wicked acts of one turning to righteousness are forgotten, so are the righteous acts of one turning to wickedness (Ezekiel 18:24).

 

Yet, people in the time of Ezekiel claimed the Lord was unfair in not holding one responsible for the sins of their father. It is their belief that is unfair with the Lord fair in holding each individual responsible for his or her own sin (Ezekiel 18:25). The fairness of the Lord is his holding each individual responsible for his or her own sin and not to seek asylum in the excuse of being a victim of the sins of their father (Ezekiel 18:26-28). The Lord invites Judah to rethink their definition of fairness and realize their thinking is unfair with God’s ways fair (Ezekiel 18:29)

 

God reminds the people of Judah that He will judge everyone according to his own ways and tells them to repent, turning from their iniquities so they do not die in them (Ezekiel 18:30). God commands them to repent and turn from their transgressions and receive a new heart and spirit of righteousness for there is no need for them to die in their iniquities (Ezekiel 18:31). The passage ends with another reminder that God does not want anyone to die in their sin (Ezekiel 18:32; 2 Peter 3:9).

 

In Ezekiel 18:1-3, the Lord spoke through Ezekiel, refuting a proverb teaching that children were on edge and responsible for the sins of their fathers. In Ezekiel 18:4-18, the Lord speaks through Ezekiel's teaching that it is possible for one who is the son of a righteous man to turn against God and for his son to turn against the sins of his father to righteousness. The word of God provides an example of this in King Josiah, a righteous king in Judah. Josiah’s father was Amon, who did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 21:19-22). Josiah brought about great reforms in Judah, turning the nation back to Godliness by restoring true worship and celebration of the Passover (2 Chronicles 34-35). Then the Egyptians appointed Eliakim king of Judah, changing his name to Jehoiakim, a king who did evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Chronicles 36:1-5). Each of these kings made a choice to either follow or reject Godliness.

 

Unfortunately, there is a victim mentality present in our culture that uses the sins or mistakes of one’s parents or even the absence of parental influence in their lives as an excuse for sinful and wicked behavior. If anyone is reading this post and uses their parental influence, or lack thereof as an excuse for wicked behavior, I urge you to stop for you stand at a fork in the road and must choose whether to remain in your sinful state or repent and turn to Christ. All individuals have sinned (Romans 3:23) and live under a death penalty (Romans 6:23). Choose the way of life and eternal life for God loves you and made a path to righteousness (John 3:16-18).

 

It is not just kings, but everyone who must make his or her choice either to follow Godliness or evil in his or her life. Jesus came to take the judgment of sin upon himself (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8, 6:23) so that each individual can have a choice to receive forgiveness from sin and a personal relationship with God through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. If you have not done so, I invite anyone reading this who has not prayed to receive forgiveness from sin and a personal relationship with God through Christ to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Giving: Collection

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

 

Matthew 6:13

And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

(NKJV)

 

Temptation is something every individual encounters for even Jesus encountered temptation, but Jesus did so without sin (Matthew 4:1-11). Temptation is not sin, giving into it is but one should avoid putting themselves into a position where they have the temptation to sin. This is why pastors should not have access to or oversee the finances of the Church out of temptation to misappropriate the money. This is why Paul hired trusted individuals to deliver the gift of the Corinthians to the Judean saints instead of delivering the gift himself, establishing the principle of separation of the minister from the finances of the ministry. Churches and ministries today should follow this pattern.

 

The text begins with Paul thanking God for the Earnest care in the Heart of Titus for the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 8:16). Titus not only accepted the exhortation to go to Corinth but did so of his own accord (2 Corinthians 8:17). Titus was accompanied by an unnamed man whose praise was in the Gospel throughout the Churches and a trusted man chosen to travel with the Gift from Corinth. The gift from Corinth was a gift administered by the glory of God to show the ready mind of the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 8:18-19). This allowed Paul to escape any blame in administering the Gift from the Corinthians to provide honorable things in the sight of God and man (2 Corinthians 8:20-21).

 

In addition to Titus and the unnamed man Paul sent a brother who often proved diligent in many things but now much more so due to the confidence of Paul in the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 8:22). Paul tells the Corinthians that if anyone asks about Titus they are to say he is Paul’s partner and fellow worker concerning the Corinthians, and if asked about the brothers accompanying them that they are messengers of the churches to the glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:23). Paul tells the Corinthians to show Titus and the messengers the proof of their love and Paul’s boasting on their behalf (2 Corinthians 8:24)

 

Paul is sending trusted men to Corinth to collect the gifts they have for the Judean saints. The collection of the gift from the Corinthians to the Judean Church had to occur without any appearance of the misappropriation of the funds. Paul was a man of integrity who had a desire to do what was right in the appearance of man to avoid any additional persecution that seemed to follow his ministry (Acts 17:13). The last thing Paul wanted was a rightfully deserved accusation of the misappropriation of funds and why he sent trusted men to Corinth to collect the Corinthians gift to ensure its delivery to the Judean saints.

 

Giving in the Church is something done by believers sacrificially, out of love, with others at its center, and in proportion and response to God’s love for them (2 Corinthians 8:1-9). However, charlatans have misappropriated money given out of love for the Lord to line their own pockets. Unfortunately, there are recent allegations of financial improprieties in the Church that illustrate the importance of internal controls within the Church's handling of finances and the stewardship of contributions made out of love to the Church. (1), (2), (3)

 

Whether true or not, allegations will tarnish the witness of a Church along with causing people to hesitate to give to the Church out of concern the money they give is not going to the cause intended for it. It is vital that pastors in the Church have no direct connection with contributions and that there be regular audits of accounting records of the Church with the reports of these audits available to Church members and those contributing to the Church. The pastor of a Church is not the CEO, CFO, or owner of the Church but the shepherd given the calling to shepherd the flock under the leadership of the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ (1 Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 23:1). The Church also has a mission to spread the Gospel and make disciples (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) with contributions made to the Church advancing this mission.

 

If you are reading this post and have never prayed to accept Jesus as your savior or if you have drifted from your faith in Jesus as your savior, I encourage you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.

 

References:

 

1. Reese, Thomas. Vatican financial scandals: Corruption, stupidity or both? National Catholic Reporter. [Online] August 3, 2023. https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/vatican-financial-scandals-corruption-stupidity-or-both.

2. Stych, Anne. Hillsong Church Initiates Financial Review After Whistleblower, Australian MP Allege Misuse of Funds. Ministrywatch.com. [Online] March 16, 2023. https://ministrywatch.com/hillsong-church-initiates-financial-review-after-whistleblower-australian-mp-allege-misuse-of-funds/.

3. Maxwell, Anne. Former Celebration Church pastor releases report he commissioned to dispute financial misconduct accusations. News4jax.com. [Online] January 30, 2023. https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/01/30/former-celebration-church-pastor-releases-report-he-commissioned-to-dispute-financial-misconduct-accusations/.

Israel Exalted, Accountability for Sin.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 17:22-18:18

 

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the ^[a]gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(NKJV)

 

Today is Easter Sunday, or as many refer to it, Resurrection Sunday. It is a time of celebration because the Lord who suffered a brutal death by crucifixion for the sins of humanity has risen from the grave, demonstrating victory over sin and death. Please join in the celebration today and invite others to come and hear about the resurrected Christ so they can join in the celebration. My prayer is that many will come to know Jesus as their savior today.                                                                                                                             

 

Ezekiel receives another word from the Lord, this time saying He will take one of the highest branches of the high cedar and plant it on a high and prominent mountain (Ezekiel 17:22). The high mountain on which the twig is planted is in Israel (Ezekiel 17:23). All the trees of the field shall know that the Lord brought down the high tree to exalt the low tree. The Lord dried up the green tree so the dry tree could flourish (Ezekiel 17:24).

 

The word of the Lord continues with the following Parable, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge (Ezekiel 18:1-2).” The Lord Commands Israel to no longer use this proverb because all souls belong to the Lord with the soul that sins destined to die (Ezekiel 18:3-4). The passage then presents another parable that begins with a man who is just, living in obedience to God’s commands (Ezekiel 18:5-9). The parable then presents the son of the just man who chooses to live in disobedience to the commands of the Lord destined to die in his own sins (Ezekiel 18:10-13). The parable then considers the son of the unjust man who considers the ways of his father and chooses not to do likewise who shall not die for the iniquities of his father but is destined to live (Ezekiel 18:14-18). The moral of this parable is that each person is responsible and will suffer the consequences of their own sin.

 

This passage has two interpretations,

1. The exaltation of Israel through the coming Messiah (Ezekiel 17:22-24) – In Ezekiel 17:1-21, Ezekiel wrote the parable of the eagles and the vine, reminding Israel of God’s protection of Israel while in exile and not to go to Egypt to escape exile. In Ezekiel 17:22-24, Ezekiel receives a word from the Lord about the Lord cropping off a tender young twig from the highest branch of the high cedar and planting it on a high and prominent mountain in Israel. This speaks of the Son of God coming from the high cedar of heaven to be with man, and sacrificing Himself on Calvary, atoning for the sins of humanity (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:8). This is Israel’s exaltation and purpose.
2. Every person chooses to obey or reject God’s Word (Ezekiel 18:1-18) – The fall of Adam and Eve brought the curse of sin upon all humanity, a curse only lifted through the death,  burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). However, while each person inherited the nature to sin from their ancestors Adam and Eve, everyone is responsible and must repent of their own sins. Everyone must also decide whether to live in obedience to the Word of God or reject it. This is why the Lord instructed Ezekiel to tell Israel to abandon the parable that children are on edge from the sour grape of sin eaten by their fathers (Ezekiel 18:2). Instead he instructs them that each generation decides to live in obedience or rejection of the Lord (Ezekiel 18:4-18)   

 

The common belief among many is that with God the morally right are in and the sinner is out. While sin does separate one from a relationship with God, our works of righteousness are useless in providing salvation (Isaiah 64:6). Instead, Salvation is a gift of God’s grace and not one’s works of moral righteousness (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23). However, for a gift to become useful in one’s life, one must open and receive the gift. The gift of salvation is received by one humbling themselves to God and confessing their belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10). With God, the humble are in and the proud are out. One claiming salvation based upon his or her good works has pride in his or her good works and needs to humbly surrender to the grace of God demonstrated on the cross to receive salvation.

 

If you are reading this and believe your good works will save you, have drifted from your faith in Jesus as your savior, or have never prayed for forgiveness from sin and to make Jesus the Lord of your life, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post. 

Excel in Giving Following the Example of Christ.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

 

2 Corinthians 8:1-2

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia:  that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality.

(NKJV)

 

The subject of giving can be a sensitive subject in the Church. Much of this sensitivity is self-inflicted as church leaders have misappropriated Church funds in its history and taught false doctrine stating that one giving to the church will become rich. While God does promise to meet the needs of believers, it is a believer's needs he promises to meet not all they want (Matthew 6:11; Philippians 4:19). In 2 Corinthians 8-9, Paul teaches the Corinthians about giving, something we will study over the next four postings on 2 Corinthians.

 

The text for this post begins with Paul making known to the Corinthians the grace bestowed on the Macedonian who sacrificially gave in joy from deep poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-2). Paul witnessed them giving according to their ability and even beyond their ability out of their free will (2 Corinthians 8:3). The Macedonians, with urgency, implored Paul and those ministering with him to receive the gift along with the fellowship of ministering to the saints (2 Corinthians 8:4). The greatest blessing to Paul, however, was that the Macedonians gave themselves to the Lord before giving their gift (2 Corinthians 8:5). This prompted Paul to urge Titus to complete the grace of giving in the Corinthians along with their abounding in faith, speech, knowledge, all diligence and love for Paul and those ministering with him (2 Corinthians 8:6-7).

 

Paul then reminds them of the pattern of sacrificial giving that began with Christ. Paul is not speaking to the Corinthians out of commandment but the sincerity of their love by the diligence of others (2 Corinthians 8:8). Although Jesus was rich, he became poor for our sake so that we can become rich through his poverty (2 Corinthians 8:9). Paul urges the Corinthians to complete what they began with the same zeal they had when they first desired it (2 Corinthians 8:10-11). Their willing mind to receive Christ in the beginning must now bring the work of Christ to completion in their lives (2 Corinthians 8:12). Paul is not calling for those with means to be burdened while those in need are eased, but is calling for equality with those in abundance supplying the lack of those in need (2 Corinthians 8:13-14). This equality is that those gathering much have nothing left over giving so those gathering little have no lack (2 Corinthians 8:15).

 

Using the example of the sacrificial giving of the Macedonians plus the pattern of sacrificial giving by Jesus, Paul begins teaching the Corinthians about giving. During the next three postings on 2 Corinthians, we will be looking in greater detail at what Paul says about giving. We will look at,

 

1. The collection of offerings (2 Corinthians 8:16-24)
2. The administration of gifts given (2 Corinthians 9:1-5)
3. The attitude of giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)

 

The subject of giving sacrificially is one many pastors avoid for fear of alienating some in the congregation. Instead, when the subject of giving comes up pastors often emotionally encourage people to give to some cause or need in the Church instead of giving out of love for the Lord. Some Churches teach that one gives expecting a monetary return, treating giving to the Lord as some investment plan with a guaranteed return on investment. Neither of these enticements to give is Biblical for the Bible teaches that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), not a guarantee of some monetary return on investment. The Bible also teaches that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7) and not one giving out of guilt or through coercion. We are not to give to get something in return because God has already given us the gift of eternal life by his grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) which is the abundant life promised in John 10:10 that Satan attempts to steal by preventing the spreading of the Gospel. .

 

Perhaps you are reading this and have drifted from faith in Jesus and the Church due to someone using guilt or coercion to get you to give. Know that this is not the way it should be for God loves giving from a cheerful and not coerced heart. Therefore, I encourage you to rededicate yourself to the Lord by praying with me. I also encourage anyone reading this who has never prayed for the forgiveness of sins and to make Jesus the Lord of your life to pray,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

For those rededicating their lives to Christ, I encourage you to find a Church that does not use coercion to encourage people to give and instead lets the Lord move on people’s hearts to give. Many Churches today do not even pass the offering plate and encourage people to either give online or in an offering box at the door. May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.