Category Archives: Bible

Extravagant Giving and the Sin of Hoarding

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I have been pondering the sin of hoarding lately. I like security, and often I find security in keeping things around me – whether I need them or not. My stuff can cause me to sin. One thought that has surfaced was: 
how does “waste not-want not” work when “the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”? 
I understand that wasting what we have (food, possessions, resources) is equally wrong for we fail to properly appreciate and use what God has give us. 
However, when I refuse to give away or let go of a possession is that displaying a sinful attitude of trusting in my own riches? Could this be a concession to my desire to be self sufficient instead of dependent? Is it a blatant rejection of accepting the reality of my need for “daily bread”?
The Scriptures are full of extravagant gifts given to glorify God, but criticized by others. Perfume upon the feet, a feast for sinners, a dance before the ark, a temple of incredible dimensions, a new robe for a lost son, a life laid down.
These individuals did not refuse to give, and give extravagantly.

The value of faith

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To say ‘justification by faith’ is merely another way of saying ‘justification by Christ’. Faith has absolutely no value in itself; its value lies solely in its object. Faith is the eye that looks to Christ, the hand that lays hold of him, the mouth that drinks the water of life. — John Stott The Cross of Christ (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1986), 187 For challenging quotes, subscribe to First Importance

Dragging someone into court

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While working on a study in James 2, I came across an interesting connection. James is dealing with favoritism within the assembly (the word he uses is “synagogue” which is another topic for discussion) and warns against showing favoritism to the rich. 

He argues that: 
  1. The poor have been chosen to be rich in faith
  2. The poor are heirs of the Kingdom
  3. The rich are actually dishonoring those showing favoritism by
  • Oppressing them
  • Dragging them into courts
James, in describing the action of the rich, claims they have been “dragging” them into courts. This word is regularly used to refer to forcefully moving something (a sword in John 18:10 and a net in John 21:6) or someone who will not move (Acts 21:30; 16:19) on their own.
Jesus uses this same expression when referring to our hearts.

John 6:44 – “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 12:32 – “ And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
That is a fitting description of what he did for me.

False Product

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“If your version of Christianity makes sense even if there is nothing after the grave, then you have gotten hold of a false product.”
Dever, Mark; Graeme Goldsworthy (2006-04-10). The Message of The Old Testament (p. 857). Good News Publishers/Crossway Books. Kindle Edition. 

Columbo and Apologetics?

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The first things you probably think of when you hear “Columbo” are a cigar and head scratching. How can this have anything to do with Apologetics?
I was encouraged by this video posted on another blog.

Greg Koukl: Christianity Worth Thinking About, Part 1 – “Columbo” from Metropolitan Bible Church on Vimeo.

His website is here with more information.
And he also has a book. I have not read it, but from the reviews, his talk seems to mirror the content of the  book.

I would encourage you to play the movie and listen to it as you are working on mondane tasks. The strength of the video is found in his use of questions to open up conversations, and seek to “put a stone in your shoe.”He encourages the listener to “go on the offensive in an inoffensive way by using carefully selected questions to productively advance the conversation.”

He doesn’t stress continued follow up, which I think is a weakness.