What Would Happen If I Gave My All?

The popular contemporary gospel singer, Ray Boltz, takes up a free will offering in his concerts to be given to the starving children in Calcutta, India.  He has been working with a ministry group that is trying to feed the hungry there.  Recently, while at one of his concerts, a young boy came up and pulled a dollar out of his pocket and said, “How many people would this dollar feed?”  He was looking at a picture of the starving people in India while he was doing this, and suddenly he pulled two more dollars out of his pocket and gave all three dollars.  He said, “This is all that I have.”  “Reckon how much it would help if I just gave all that I have?”

Phil 3:7-14

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

 

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

 

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

 

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

 

If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

 

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

 

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

 

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

They say that the number one tenet of the law concerning the survival of the fittest, is the law of self-preservation.  In some isolated instances I would whole-heartedly concur.  It seems that now, more than ever before, I am hearing the voice of the old-timer saying, ” You gotta look out for numero uno!”  “When push comes to shove,” they say, “you gotta look out for ol’ number one!”  That seem to be a mentality that has really invaded our society today.  We live in a society that at its core lies an attitude of uninvolvement that reeks of selfishness.  It used to be that when a person had a problem that was severe in nature, it became his neighbor’s problem also.  There was no such thing as just hacking it out on your own when there was people that could lend a hand.  Many a barn-raising and house raising occasion was enjoyed as neighbors, relatives, friends and the church got together for long hours of work, sweating in the sun, hauling timbers, cutting boards, hammering nails and sitting down to the joint efforts of the women that had prepared large hot meals for the workers.  In those days, communities were close, joys were shared joys, and sorrows were joint sorrows.

They say that it is impossible for us to have that kind of a utopian society today, because of the crime problem being so bad.  I would like to take exception to that view and say that the reason why that we have such monumental problems in our society that prevent us from sharing yesteryears worldview is that basically we have become selfish instead of selfless.  We have become so professional at minding our own business that in the United States of America our next door neighbor could starve to death and we not know it until the hearse backed up to the door to carry them away!

Back early in the century, there was a decade that was enjoyed called the “roaring twenties” where prosperity was on every hand.  This party mentality existed unchecked until 1929, and the “great depression” hit.  People that felt the burden of scarcity stretched themselves thin in order to take care of themselves and their friends, but then altogether too soon there was a mentality that engendered out of panic and fear of doing without.  Soon there was crime on the rise, and problems began to compound until the government stepped in and begin to initiate some programs that got people back to working together toward a better economy.  Things did get better after a lot of hard work but that was only economically speaking.  There was an attitude of isolationism that gripped hold of western civilization that has never let up its grip to this day.  It is that old feeling of, “Why don’t we all just mind our own business, the United States cannot be the world policeman!”  To some degree I concur, but when it comes to turning my head when there is wickedness going on that I can do something about, then I am more than remiss in my duties as a human being to just watch it go on unchecked.  I think that we have been entertained by T.V. violence so long, observed rapes, murder, robbery, war and etcetera, that we can now just watch it go on in the real world with impunity and not lift a hand to check it.  “Oh well, it’s really none of my business you know!”

Neighborhoods are terrorized because we are just to busy living our own lives

to get involved and make a difference!  We have become a pampered, self-oriented, egotistical and selfish society whose philosophy is diametrically in opposition to that of real Christlikeness.  We are more interested in getting and gaining than we are in giving of ourselves to the only thing that is lasting in this world and that is the purposes of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ on this earth!  Oh how we need to see Calvary once again and become infused with that God-love that precipitated a world being touched by the sacrificial death of a man that brought live to every individual that would believe on Him!  May God help us to get our eyes off of what we can get, and get them focused on what we can give to the Kingdom of God!  We have assumed the role of master, instead of the role of a servant of the Lord!  I need to be saying, “What can I give to you, Lord!”

Phil 2:5-11

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

 

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

 

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

 

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

 

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

 

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Jews had a famous story about a certain King Monobaz of Adiabene who became a convert to Judaism.  “Monobaz distributed all his treasures to the poor in the year of famine.  His brothers sent to him and said, ‘Thy fathers gathered treasures, and added to those of their fathers, but thou hast dispersed yours and theirs.’  He said to them, ‘My fathers gathered treasures for below, I have gathered treasures for above; they stored treasures in a place over which the hand of man can rule, but I have stored treasures in a place over which the hand of man cannot rule; my fathers collected treasures which bear no interest, I have gathered treasures which bear interest; my fathers gathered treasures of money, I have gathered treasures in souls; my fathers gathered treasures for others, I have gathered treasures for myself; my fathers gathered treasures in this world, I have gathered treasures for the world to come.'”

 

Both Jesus and the Jewish Rabbis were sure that what is selfishly hoarded is lost, but that what is generously given away brings treasure in heaven.

Eccl 5:13

There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.

 

Luke 12:33

Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

J. L. Kraft, head of the Kraft Cheese Corporation, who had given approximately 25 percent of his enormous income to Christian causes for many years, said, ” The only investments I ever made which have paid constantly increasing dividends, is the money I have given to the Lord.  Pastors will do their greatest service in leading their men to understand the truth of God concerning the stewardship of time and money.”

 

John D. Rockefeller explained a great principle when he said:  “I never would have been able to tithe the first million dollars I ever made if I had not tithed my first salary, which was $1.50 a week.”

 

There are notable exceptions.  Says Fritz Kreisler, the world’s distinguished violinist:  “I never look upon the money I earn as my own.  It is public money.  It is only a fund entrusted to my care for proper disbursement.  I am constantly endeavoring to reduce my needs to the minimum….  In all these years of my so-called success in music, we have not built a home for ourselves. Between it and us stand all the homeless in the world.”

 

From the beginning of his business career, John Wanamaker, merchant prince of Philadelphia, is said to have dedicated one tenth of his increase to the Lord.  Likewise, William Colgate, the great soap and perfume manufacturer, rose to fame and wealth while consistently paying a tithe of his earnings into the gospel treasury. This he recognized as the minimum requirement designated by divine wisdom; and year by year as God prospered his efforts and multiplied his wealth, Mr. Colgate gladly gave far more than a tenth.  Today a great Christian university stands as a monument to his fidelity and generosity.

Prov 3:9

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

 

2 Cor 9:10-12

Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness😉

 

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

 

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

Let us give up our work, our plans, ourselves, our lives, our loved ones, our influence, our all, right into God’s hand; and then, when we have given all to Him, there will be nothing left for us to be troubled about.

— Hudson Taylor

Prov 16:3

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

 

Isa 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

 

Phil 3:7-8

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

 

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Once again it is the end of the year and every Christian organization badgers its constituents for funds to balance the year’s budget.  It is hard not to resent such pleas.  But President Pearson of Miami Christian College offers us a sobering reminder to be patient:

 

“The trouble is, you are always asking for money.  You are probably right.  But let me tell you a personal story.

 

I had a little boy; my firstborn.  He was a delight to our hearts, but he was always costing me something.  He needed clothing, shoes, food, and had special needs that I gladly provided, for he was my son. Then one day he died.  It was an experience that I hope you will never have.  He does not cost me a dollar now.

 

Every need is an unfailing sign of life and growth.  Body, mind and soul have their needs and they must be met continually.  A ministry that is constantly in need of funds is alive and growing and going somewhere.  A dead ministry has no need, and will not bother you.”

Rom 12:13

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

 

1 Cor 16:1-2

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

 

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Funny how a $10.00 bill looks so big when you take it to worship but so small when you take it to the supermarket.

 

Funny how reading the church bulletin is a chore, but reading a 30 page newspaper every day is a habit you have grown to enjoy.

 

Funny how long an hour is spent in worship, but how short it is when golfing, fishing, or attending a ball game.

 

Funny how we applaud when the ball game goes overtime, but we complain if the worship hour is over the regular time.

 

Funny how laborious it is to read a chapter in the Bible, but how easy it is to read a 300-page novel.

 

Funny how much difficulty some have learning the simple Gospel well enough to tell others.  But how simple it is for the same people to understand and explain more difficult subjects.

 

Funny how people scramble to get a front set at the ball game, but scramble to get a back seat at services.

 

Funny how we cannot fit a Gospel meeting into our schedule with a year to plan for it, but we can adjust the schedule for other events at a moment’s notice.

 

Funny that parents are so concerned about school lessons but are completely unconcerned about Bible lessons.

 

Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided he/she doesn’t have to believe, or to think, or to say, or to do anything.

 

All of this would be funny if it were not so tragically true!

Prov 18:1

Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

 

Phil 3:19

Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

 

2 Tim 4:3

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

A missionary tells of a woman in India holding in her arms a weak, whining infant, while at her side stood a beautiful, healthy child. The man of God saw her walk to the banks of the Ganges River and throw the robust youngster to the crocodiles as an offering, and then turn toward home again still clutching the sickly child to her bosom. Tears were running down her cheeks when he stopped to question her concerning her shocking actions; however, she proudly replied in defense of her conduct, “O sir, we always give our gods the best!”

Luke 6:38

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

 

1 Cor 12:2

Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.