You think Black Friday is bad? I was reading through some historical trivia and found this: on Saturday, March 18, 1944, guards and floorwalkers at a Chicago department store were trampled by 2500 women storming the store doors for 1500 alarm clocks that had been announced for sale. Alarm clocks? In March? What in the world was that about? I did a little checking but with my severely limited equipment I was unable to find the exact store and the exact price on those clocks, or what made them so special. It must have been some sale, though, or some alarm clock.
Isn’t it a shame that the doors of meetinghouses all over this country aren’t stormed in a similar way every Sunday? Isn’t it heartbreaking that we can hardly get a neighbor to study with us until he experiences some sort of horrible tragedy in his life? Isn’t it a travesty beyond measure that God can say, “I have something for you that is absolutely free,” and hardly anyone cares?
Buy the truth and sell it not, the Proverb writer says in 23:23, adding yea, buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Don’t you wish they were for sale? What I wouldn’t give for the wisdom to better handle this life, for direct instruction from God when I am floundering about, wondering what to do, and to know the truth about every question I have or am asked.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46. I have brethren who won’t even give up their time on the weekends much less be willing to sell everything they own for a place in that kingdom.
We may have a good head for numbers and be able to plan what we think of as a secure future for ourselves, but our definition of security is wrong. God told his people in Isa 55:2 and 3, Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Moses even earlier had said, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, Deut 8:3.
As smart as we think we are, one of these days we will learn unequivocally that we have placed value on the wrong things. Real faith does not “rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God,” and “surpassing power belongs to God and not to us,” 1 Cor 2:5; 2 Cor 4:7.
Not so, we say with our deeds, if not our words: “God has no idea how to handle money!” We may boast of our faith, but our actions often belie it and at the same time accuse God of being a fool.
For what would you be willing to camp outside all night in the cold in order to buy at first light? For what would you pound on the doors of the store? For what would you pay a jacked-up price because you want it so badly, or tear out of another’s hand at the risk of losing your own? Why are we so enamored of “things” and think so little of the spiritual wealth God offers for free every day?
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:15-19
Dene Ward
Isn’t it a shame that the doors of meetinghouses all over this country aren’t stormed in a similar way every Sunday? Isn’t it heartbreaking that we can hardly get a neighbor to study with us until he experiences some sort of horrible tragedy in his life? Isn’t it a travesty beyond measure that God can say, “I have something for you that is absolutely free,” and hardly anyone cares?
Buy the truth and sell it not, the Proverb writer says in 23:23, adding yea, buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Don’t you wish they were for sale? What I wouldn’t give for the wisdom to better handle this life, for direct instruction from God when I am floundering about, wondering what to do, and to know the truth about every question I have or am asked.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46. I have brethren who won’t even give up their time on the weekends much less be willing to sell everything they own for a place in that kingdom.
We may have a good head for numbers and be able to plan what we think of as a secure future for ourselves, but our definition of security is wrong. God told his people in Isa 55:2 and 3, Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David. Moses even earlier had said, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, Deut 8:3.
As smart as we think we are, one of these days we will learn unequivocally that we have placed value on the wrong things. Real faith does not “rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God,” and “surpassing power belongs to God and not to us,” 1 Cor 2:5; 2 Cor 4:7.
Not so, we say with our deeds, if not our words: “God has no idea how to handle money!” We may boast of our faith, but our actions often belie it and at the same time accuse God of being a fool.
For what would you be willing to camp outside all night in the cold in order to buy at first light? For what would you pound on the doors of the store? For what would you pay a jacked-up price because you want it so badly, or tear out of another’s hand at the risk of losing your own? Why are we so enamored of “things” and think so little of the spiritual wealth God offers for free every day?
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Revelation 3:15-19
Dene Ward
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