Games People Play With God-Part 4 by Jerry Vinson
Gospel Anchor On-Line Edition (http://www.gospelanchor.com)
Monopoly
The Psalmist wrote, "The earth is the Lord's, and all it's
fullness, the world and those who dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1).
God alone has complete ownership of this world and all of its
goods - ownership of heaven, earth, and everything in between.
"Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool"
(Isaiah 66:1).
"Monopoly" is a popular board game that people enjoy
playing. Players try to buy up various properties, utilities,
etc. to have a monopoly on them. People today play spiritual "Monopoly"
with God.
Jesus warned, "Beware of covetousness. For a man's life does
not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses"
(Luke 12:15). Covetousness manifests itself in many different
ways. Most people assume that covetousness is the desire for what
another has. That is only one form of covetousness. It is also
a greedy desire for more of what one already has, as Luke 12:15-21
plainly shows. Those Scriptures contain the parable of the rich
farmer, a.k.a., the six "I" fool.
There once was a wealthy Texas rancher who owned land in several
states. His goal was to connect his properties and have a single
ranch that extended from Texas to Wyoming. He died before his
goal was accomplished. He failed to realize that his life did
not consist in the abundance of the land which he possessed. He
played "Monopoly" with God - and he lost!
Paul taught, "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation
and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown
men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the
root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the
faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with
many sorrows" (1 Timothy 6:9-10). "Greediness,"
in this Scripture, is the idea of pursuing something with arms
outstretched. In this text it is describing the constant, deliberate
pursuit of riches - another manifestation of covetousness.
One wealthy billionaire, an oilman, was asked, "How much
money is enough?" He replied, "Just a little more."
Most people are like him. They're convinced that "just a
little more" will solve their financial troubles or secure
their financial future. Theirs is not a problem of "not enough"
- it is a problem of covetousness, a malady that is rooted in
not being "content with such things as you have" (Hebrews
13:5). The oilman is dead now. His money is useless to him. He
failed to realize that one should not "trust in uncertain
riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to
enjoy" (1 Timothy 6:17). The oilman played "Monopoly"
with God - and he lost!
Friend, what is your life? Is yours a life of discipleship and
service, or of fun and games? Is yours a life of spiritual devotion,
or of worldly ambition? Is yours a life of whole-hearted commitment,
or of half-hearted concern? Are you truly taking your spiritual
life seriously, or are you just playing games with God?
Who's Who? - Author Unknown
(contributed by S. Tegg)
It was a cold winter's day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church. As I got closer I saw a man leaning up against the wall outside the church. He was almost lying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet with holes all over them, his toes stuck out. I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church.
We all gathered for fellowship for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man lying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me.
A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take his place and to give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened. In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down. People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit he took off his hat and coat. My heart sank.
There stood our preacher - he was the "homeless man." No one said a word. The preacher took his Bible and laid it on the stand. "Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching about today."
Then he started singing the words to this song.
"If I can help somebody as I pass along.
If I can cheer somebody with a word or song.
If I can show somebody that he's traveling wrong.
Then my living shall not be in vain."
The Clergy by David Brown
(http://www.thinkonthesethings.org)
The depiction of religion by our TV and movie media tends to give us a mirror at least on their perception of reality. While we might suspect that these mirrors are straight out of the fun-house, the images might bear our measured attention.
First, they rarely, if ever, reflect pure and undefiled religion, which would show those individuals who are so influenced by their relationship with God that they: "visit the widows and orphans in their affliction and keep themselves unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).
Instead, good or bad (but mostly bad), the image is of a "clergyman." This oversimplification is readily accepted by a public which has little interest in grappling with the details of their religious beliefs. Professing to be bible-based, most cannot explain the rudimentary "rightful division" between the Old and New Testaments.
As a result, a clergy class has arisen in this country which has as its primary function to "do the religion" for the rest of society. Modeled closely to that of the Roman Catholic church, this un-royal priesthood dominates religious thinking.
That such a class of individuals is totally foreign to the New Testament is not given a second thought. Indeed, it seems that the primary goal of this class is to convince the rest of us that we cannot understand the bible (or at least we cannot understand it alike). As long as they are successful in getting this message across, their position is assured.
The bible says, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12). And, it gives to each of us the responsibility for making sure that our leadership is teaching the truth (Mt. 7:15-23, Acts 20:29-31, 2 Pet. 2 and many, many others).
Those who have vested interests (Phil. 3:19) in keeping people from learning the truth have always been the enemy of Christ. Jesus reserved his strongest words of condemnation for the clergy of his day (Mt. 23). The spirit with which these men led the crucifixion of Christ still dominates the religious world today.
When we think of our religion, do we think of an organization? A preacher? A clergy? Or do we identify it with those simple folk who have given their lives to Christ? Do we have the deepest love (1 Jn. 4:20) and respect for our fellow Christians who are striving to "work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them of the household of the faith" (Gal 6:10)?
If we fail to realize this we will be enslaved, not just in this life, but throughout eternity; for only the truth can free us (Jn. 8:32).
PSALM 119 -Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
CHETH. (Ps 119:57-64).
[57-60. Sincere desires for God's favor, penitence, and activity
in a new obedience, truly evince the sincerity of those who profess
to find God a portion (Nu 18:20; Ps 16:5; La 3:24).]
57 Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep
thy words.
58 I intreated thy favour [Hebrew, "face" (Ps 45:12).]
with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
[So the prodigal son, when reduced to straits of misery (Lu 15:17,
18).]
60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
[61, 62. This the more, if opposition of enemies, or love of ease
is overcome in thus honoring God's law.]
61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me [better, surrounded
me, either as forcible constraints like fetters, or as the cords
of their nets. HENGSTENBERG translates, "snares."]:
but I have not forgotten thy law.
62 At midnight [HENGSTENBERG supposes a reference to the time
when the Lord went forth to slay the Egyptian first-born (Ex 11:4;
12:29; compare Job 34:20). But it rather refers to the Psalmist's
own praises and prayers in the night time. Compare Paul and Silas
(Ac 16:25; compare Ps 63:6).] I will rise to give thanks unto
thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that
keep thy precepts. [The communion of the saints. Delight in their
company is an evidence of belonging to them (Ps 16:3; Am 3:3;
Mal 3:16).]
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy; teach me thy statutes.[While
opposed by the wicked, and opposing them, the pious delight in
those who fear God, but, after all, rely for favor and guidance
not on merit, but mercy.]