July 23 -- "God's Peculiar Economics: Take Less to Have More"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 24 & 25

"God's Peculiar Economics:Take Less to Have More"

God’s laws place a great deal of emphasis on human rights, protections for the defenseless, and care for the needy.  God’s people were commanded to show mercy to those in debt and not to trample on the rights of the poor.  Employers were to be considerate to their employees. Justice was not to favor the rich and powerful. Torture was never to be used to force confessions from suspected lawbreakers. Even farmers were to be kind to their animals and allow them to eat as they worked the fields.

The expression, "the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow" is repeated more than a dozen times in the Old Testament.  Each time it appears, the LORD is commanding His people to be concerned for those who are less fortunate than themselves.  In Psalm 146:9, we are told that “The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless.”  God is concerned about those in need, and He expects us to be concerned as well.

Here, the Israelites are told not to go back to get the droppings of sheaves left behind when they reap their harvest.  No, they should leave them there for fellow citizens in need.  That way, the immigrants, orphans, and widows would have the means for their necessary nutrition. God exhorts the harvesters to do this so that “God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”  In other words, you will have more if you take less.  This principle presents us with a paradox, as God’s Word often does.  It seems absurd to our human nature that if we take less, we will have more.  We are wired to squeeze every last penny of profit for ourselves.  But God insists that there is a greater spiritual principle at work here – one that contradicts our human nature. One that says God will reward our generosity.

God says that His people should never be overly diligent to squeeze the last penny of profit out of any venture. The reality is that if you try to “keep it all for yourself,” you will end up with less in the end.  As we read in Proverbs 11:24, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”  In other words, the world of those who are generous gets larger and larger, but the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

I would encourage you today to build some generosity into your financial life. Budget to give freely to those in need.  Protect the defenseless.  Care for the needy.  Don’t stockpile it all for yourself, but give consideration to others.  Take less to have more. You will be blessed with the riches of God if you do.

July 22 -- "Lending to Others"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 23

"Lending to Others"

Several years ago, during a very difficult financial time, a friend sent my wife and I some money in the mail.  The note with the money read, “This is not a loan.  It is a gift to you.  All we ask is that one day, when you’re back on your feet, that you do the same for someone else in need.”  Wow!  What a blessing.  They trusted God and we received a much-needed lift.

God’s Word says that people can “wander from the faith and pierce themselves with many griefs” when they allow money to have an improper hold on their hearts (1 Timothy 6:10). That’s why the Bible contains hundreds of verses on how God wants us to treat money, and this includes the lending of it.

Essentially, the Israelites were not permitted to charge interest when they loaned money to a needy brother. They could, however, charge interest on loans made to foreigners. This rule was part of the Mosaic Law: “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest.” (Exodus 22:25)

The purpose of this law was two-fold: (1) Charging the person interest would only make their financial situation worse; and (2) God promised a blessing on the gracious lender that would be far more than the interest they would have charged.

In the New Testament, Jesus tells us not to “turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42). He applied this principle even to our enemies in their time of need: “But love your enemies and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great” (Luke 6:35).

There are numerous passages throughout the Bible exhorting us to have a generous and giving heart, especially to the less fortunate.  The clear teaching of the Bible is that God expects His children to act generously when lending money, or anytime they see someone in need. And always remember that our ability to produce wealth comes from God (Deuteronomy 8:18), so it is important that we treat money with an open hand.

One way you can bless a person in need is to offer them a financial gift with no strings attached.  And, if at all possible, do it anonymously so “that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:4)

July 21 -- "Don't Look Away"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 22

"Don't Look Away"

In the first part of chapter 22, Moses gives a collection of brief exhortations about day-to-day living.  He urges the people to act in such a way that is caring and helpful to those around them.  In our culture, these short exhortations might fall under the heading of “Good Samaritan Laws.”  The gist of most of these verses is “don’t look away” when you see your fellow human being in need.

If you see someone’s ox or sheep wandering off loose, don’t look the other way as if you didn’t see it. Return it promptly.  If you see your friend’s donkey or ox injured along the road, don’t look the other way. Help him get it up and on its way.  If its owner does not live nearby or you don’t know who the owner is, take it to your place and keep it until the owner comes looking for it. Then you must return it. 

Jesus capitalized on this idea of helping others in Luke 10 when He taught us about the man who had been beaten by robbers and left seriously injured on the side of the road.  In this illustration, Jesus first points out two people who looked the other way.  First, a priest, followed by a Levite.  These two men knew better.  They were alleged adherents to the Law of Moses, but when it came down to practical application of God’s commands, they simply turned their head and walked on by.  Finally, a Samaritan came along, and in a real practical way helped restore this victim.

The whole idea of these verses is: don’t ignore the needs of others.  You are repeatedly called upon in Scripture to love your neighbor as yourself.  And this love for your neighbor comes through in several concrete, practical actions.

How do you react when you see someone in need?  Perhaps a homeless person freezing in the cold.  Or a neighbor who just lost his job and might lose his home.  Or your friend who is deeply saddened by the grief of loss.  Buried deep within our human nature is the tendency to “look away”  And then we try to rationalize our lack of care by telling ourself that “I can’t solve all the world’s problems.”

You don’t have to solve all the world’s problems.  Just return someone’s donkey. Or give them a warm jacket.  Or offer financial support.  Or walk with them in their time of need.  It really doesn’t take much to love your neighbor, so do it.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our natural human tendency to ignore the needs of others.  Whatever you do, don’t look away.

July 20 -- "He Became Our Curse"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 21

"He Became Our Curse"

In Israel, any person who was executed for breaking God’s law was considered as bearing a “curse” in his body. A curse is the opposite of a blessing: a blessing is a pronouncement of good fortune because one participates in God's plans and promises, a curse is a pronouncement of ill fortune because one opposes God's plans. 

The word “cursed” means something that is despised, something that is devoted to destruction, something that is doomed.  That's what it means to be cursed.  To be cursed by God means that you are set for doom or destruction. 

Since you and I have broken God’s law, all of us are considered as guilty before God and, as a result, we bear a curse in our body. We are doomed.  “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Our sin must be punished by the death penalty.  We all have been set for doom and destruction.  God has pronounced His curse upon sinful humanity.

But wait! There's more! Yes, all have sinned. Except one!  Jesus broke none of God’s laws.  He lived a sinless life.  “You know that He [Jesus] appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” (1 John 3:5)  Jesus is the one and only Person who is eligible to walk away from this life without God’s pronouncement of a curse upon Him.  He alone is entitled to participate in God’s blessings and eternal life.

That’s why His death upon the cross was so extraordinary.  For our sake God chose to place our curse upon the Sinless One.  “He made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Christ’s death on the cross was the clear sign to all that He bore the curse of God. He suffered the death penalty on behalf of the law-breakers, so that all who believe in him might escape the law’s curse.  “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree,’ so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13)

When Jesus was nailed to the cross: He became a curse. And at the same time dissolved our curse. And now, because of that, the air is cleared and we can see that God’s blessing of eternal life is present and available for anyone who believes. We are all able to receive God’s life, his Spirit, in and with us by believing in the One who took our death penalty and our curse.

July 19 -- "Call Your First Witness"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 19 & 20

"Call Your First Witness"

God’s laws are true and so practical and real-world.  Here Moses gives God’s laws regarding witnesses. Of primary importance under these laws is that nothing shall be decided upon the testimony of a single witness.  The purpose of this law was to protect people from false accusations.  If you had an antagonist who accused you of a sin or a crime, their accusation would not stand unless others (two or three) corroborated their testimony as eyewitnesses. 

In chapter 5 of John’s Gospel, Jesus was accused of giving false testimony about Himself because He did not have the required two-or-three others to support His claims.  He “was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God” (John 5:18).

Jesus confirmed God’s law regarding witnesses when He said “If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true.” (John 5:31)  But then He went on to invoke not two, not three – but four – witnesses to support His claims:   John the Baptist, the works/miracles He performed, God the Father, and their own Scriptures.

Call your first witness: John the Baptist.  John said that Jesus was greater than himself and that he was the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. John corroborated Jesus’ claims, but the religious leaders refused to listen.

Witness number two: The powerful works of Jesus.  He had demonstrated His Divine power right in front of their eyes when He went around doing good, casting out demons, and healing all kinds of diseases and infirmities. But the religious leaders refused to see.

Witness number three:  God Himself.  “And the Father who sent me has Himself borne witness about me.”  Here, Jesus is referring to that time a voice came out of the heavens and said, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” (Mark 1:11)  But the religious leaders refused to hear.

Witness number four: The Scriptures.  Jesus said to the religious leaders, “you search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.” (John 5:39)  Jesus tells these religious leaders to “read your own Bibles!”  In the pages of the Scriptures you will discover the truth about who I am.  Tragically, these religious leaders failed to see the clear truth in their very own Bibles proving that if someone’s heart is so hardened by sin and pride, the volume of witnesses will not matter. 

Jesus was, indeed, the very Son of God he claimed to be.  Just ask the witnesses.

July 18 -- "Listen to Him"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 18

"Listen to Him"

Are you listening to “the Prophet?”  In today’s passage, Moses gives the people the promise of a coming One – a Prophet who is to come in the future.  This is a prophetic statement about the future coming of the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.  Moses exhorts the people that when He comes, they must listen to Him.

The Christian life revolves around listening to Jesus. Repeatedly in Scripture, we are exhorted to listen to Him. At Jesus’s transfiguration, a voice came out of the cloud saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35).  Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)

Sadly, many Christians struggle with a common disorder known as “selective hearing.” We hear what we want to hear.  We love to listen to Him when He talks to us about love and grace and forgiveness.  But we turn deaf when He talks to us about repentance and obedience and sacrifice.  It is critical that we listen – really listen – to everything Jesus says to us and take action on the things He tells us.

But how can you listen to Him?  Does He speak to your ears in an audible voice?  Not usually (although He could).  There are three main ways that Jesus speaks to you: (1) the “visual channel” - through Scripture; (2) the “auditory channel” - through godly counsel and teaching; and (3) the “heart channel” -through the still, small voice of His Spirit communicating with your spirit.  Make sure you are listening through all three channels.

Start by reading your Bible.  As you read, ask God to speak to you directly from His word by His Spirit – to illuminate your understanding of His word. When you do, you will sense Jesus speaking to you.  When you need wisdom or direction - seek the counsel and advice of your Christian friends, pastors, and leaders. There is wisdom in the abundance of counselors.  Finally, be sure to spend quiet time tuned to the heart channel.  Visit with Him each and every day so you can hear His voice speaking directly to your heart.  It is to Him you shall listen.  And, when you hear, make sure you obey.

July 17 -- "The King God Chooses"

 Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy 17

"The King God Chooses"

"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."  This quote, often attributed to William Shakespeare's play Henry IV, Part 2, highlights the burdens and responsibilities that come with being a ruler. It suggests that the position of a king or ruler is filled with challenges, anxieties, and constant pressure.

This entire section predicts that the day will come when the Israelites will opt-out of God’s “administration” and opt for a human king.  Although God had expressed that He wanted to walk among them, and be with them, and be their King, He acknowledges here that one day they will ask for a human king, like the other nations have.  Even though having a human king is not God’s “perfect will” for the nation, the LORD makes sure that when that day comes (and it will - see 1 Samuel 8) they have some guidelines on who they choose to put in power.

Some of these rules include: Israeli citizenship - their future king must be a fellow Israelite, not a foreigner. He must not be one who “multiplies horses” for himself or encourages others to do so.  He must be a faithful husband to his wife – one who does not take many wives for himself.  And, he must not be greedy for wealth – multiplying “silver and gold for himself.”

Most importantly, their future king must be the one “whom the LORD your God chooses.”  This is, by far, the most important criteria for selection of their king.  And, it is the most important criteria for us as we choose those who will be elected to public office.  Our duty is not to choose.  Our duty is to discern which candidate God has chosen. But how can we do that?  Well, most importantly we must prayerfully consider our choice and ask God to guide us.

In a practical sense, the leaders we choose must express an ideology that is aligned with Biblical principles and who will promote righteousness in our nation.  No one who follows Jesus should knowingly vote for anyone who stands for values, actions, or goals that directly oppose God’s will.  The leaders we elect should be men or women who display godly character and values and who will fight evil and promote good. 

Be careful to avoid choosing your leaders based on personality, or handsomeness, or oratory skills, or popularity. Choose the person whom the LORD your God chooses.  And always remember, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people." (Proverbs 14:34)