Together # 24
A Together the Strengthens
A Together the Strengthens
Share with One Another
copyright by Dick Wulf, 2018
Share your possessions and opportunities with one another. God works in this way to take care of and bless of all of His children
Rom 12:13; 1 Tim 6:18-19; James 2:14-17; l John 3:17-18
Sharing possessions with one another can be a sign of true Christianity. However, many nonbelieving people also share their possessions. Therefore, Christians sharing with other Christians must go beyond the standard behavior of secular culture. Biblical sharing is sacrificial and tests what we value most and how sure we are that God will provide for us.
The early church needed sacrificial sharing and many stepped up to the challenge.
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
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Acts 4:32-35
Biblical sharing is active, not passive. Passive is when we are willing to share something if someone asks for it. If a person’s power lawnmower stops working and it will take two weeks for it to be repaired, if that person comes to one of us and asks to borrow our lawnmower, that is passive sharing. It is helpful but not much out of the ordinary. However, if we hear that someone in our Christian Inner Circle has a broken lawnmower and we call to offer the use of ours, that is active sharing. Active sharing is unusual in our culture and happens only occasionally, but it should be a normal thing in the kingdom of God.
Then again, if I live in an apartment and find out someone in my Christian Inner Circle needs a mower and I call someone I know, but whom the needy person does not know, and arrange for a lawnmower to be available, that is “super” active sharing.
Then again, if I live in an apartment and find out someone in my Christian Inner Circle needs a mower and I call someone I know, but whom the needy person does not know, and arrange for a lawnmower to be available, that is “super” active sharing.
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
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l John 3:17-18
At least 35 years ago before there were personal computers, I instituted in our church of about 200 members what we called “Project Share”. Circulating quite an extensive list from a Sears catalog index, we asked willing church members to check those things they owned that they were willing to share. People could call up one another and borrow all sorts of things. I remember borrowing a post-hole digger.
How many post-hole diggers does a church of 200 need? Rugged individualists would think they need to own one, so by that standard our church needed about 25 of them. At $40 each, that would cost a thousand dollars. However, the one digger owned by one member was good enough for our whole church, and those with more than adequate financial resources could give the saved money to our Missions Fund.
It is natural for family members to borrow things from one another. Therefore, it is just a small jump for Christian friendships to do so also. And, if sharing is extended to the Christian Inner Circles of everyone in the first Inner Circle, then needed items can be borrowed from “a friend of a friend”. Sharing using the wider reach of Christian Inner Circles is similar to networking that is popular in business. Look at the millions joining Linked-In to network for contacts with friends of friends.
Common ownership of things is not necessary if Christians willingly recognize that God owns everything. The Bible teaches that believers are stewards of what God owns and gives into their care. Then, Christians are to make those gracious, undeserved blessings available to one another out of generous love.
It takes selfless, biblical love to make others more important than our possessions so that we do not hold onto them too tightly. For example, when one of us owns a fairly new, reliable pickup and loans it out to other Christians who need it, love goes beyond the pride of ownership and transitions into stewardship of something God made possible through His grace. By such actions, we show to God and outsiders watching that we value those in the family of faith more than a truck. Many would polish that truck until it shined so a man could shave in its reflection. But Christians would not value the truck that much, not if it put a barrier into lending it to someone in a friend’s Christian Inner Circle who needed to move furniture. The Christian might polish the truck and keep it in good condition, but mainly because he or she was thankful for God’s gift and also because someone might need its use.
How many post-hole diggers does a church of 200 need? Rugged individualists would think they need to own one, so by that standard our church needed about 25 of them. At $40 each, that would cost a thousand dollars. However, the one digger owned by one member was good enough for our whole church, and those with more than adequate financial resources could give the saved money to our Missions Fund.
It is natural for family members to borrow things from one another. Therefore, it is just a small jump for Christian friendships to do so also. And, if sharing is extended to the Christian Inner Circles of everyone in the first Inner Circle, then needed items can be borrowed from “a friend of a friend”. Sharing using the wider reach of Christian Inner Circles is similar to networking that is popular in business. Look at the millions joining Linked-In to network for contacts with friends of friends.
Common ownership of things is not necessary if Christians willingly recognize that God owns everything. The Bible teaches that believers are stewards of what God owns and gives into their care. Then, Christians are to make those gracious, undeserved blessings available to one another out of generous love.
It takes selfless, biblical love to make others more important than our possessions so that we do not hold onto them too tightly. For example, when one of us owns a fairly new, reliable pickup and loans it out to other Christians who need it, love goes beyond the pride of ownership and transitions into stewardship of something God made possible through His grace. By such actions, we show to God and outsiders watching that we value those in the family of faith more than a truck. Many would polish that truck until it shined so a man could shave in its reflection. But Christians would not value the truck that much, not if it put a barrier into lending it to someone in a friend’s Christian Inner Circle who needed to move furniture. The Christian might polish the truck and keep it in good condition, but mainly because he or she was thankful for God’s gift and also because someone might need its use.
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.
Rom 12:13
Rom 12:13
God is concerned that His people share the things He gives them when there is a need. There are always a few truly generous people, but God calls all of the people He blesses to be generous people. Usually it is difficult to get the majority of people in an organized church to share in the active sense. Probably most would loan or give things if asked to do so, what is called passive sharing. But, church members rarely know of everyday needs they can help with by loaning something.
Organized churches can request people give to the church budget which may or may not cover much of the need. They may have a closet full of wheelchairs for any member who needs one. But, as a daily sacrifice of sharing, the churches we belong to are handicapped in too many ways to fulfill this command of Scripture. People’s daily needs and predicaments are not easily identified. For example, no one will know that a family needs a portable grill to take on a picnic.
But, it is a whole different thing, or should be, in Christian Inner Circles. Friendships, families and marriages in relationship together with Jesus can implement biblical sharing in ways that will honor God to the maximum. These are the relationships where it will be mentioned, for example, that a family would like to go to a picnic ground and bar-b-que but needs a grill. Since God doesn’t just want a few of His people to share, it is on all of our shoulders to see that everyone in our Christian Inner Circles advances in the spiritual growth of obedience in sharing.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
Organized churches can request people give to the church budget which may or may not cover much of the need. They may have a closet full of wheelchairs for any member who needs one. But, as a daily sacrifice of sharing, the churches we belong to are handicapped in too many ways to fulfill this command of Scripture. People’s daily needs and predicaments are not easily identified. For example, no one will know that a family needs a portable grill to take on a picnic.
But, it is a whole different thing, or should be, in Christian Inner Circles. Friendships, families and marriages in relationship together with Jesus can implement biblical sharing in ways that will honor God to the maximum. These are the relationships where it will be mentioned, for example, that a family would like to go to a picnic ground and bar-b-que but needs a grill. Since God doesn’t just want a few of His people to share, it is on all of our shoulders to see that everyone in our Christian Inner Circles advances in the spiritual growth of obedience in sharing.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
The Salazar Family has been studying the Togethers so that they each can be more like Jesus as well as add lifestyle worship to their family life. Recently they looked at what God wants in the way of sharing possessions. This got everyone in the family thinking what they had that others did not.
First the Salazars found 17 things they had bought over the years, used once, and then stored away. Then they asked their closest Christian friends and relatives if they knew of any poor families who could use the items. A Christian family someone knew from her place of employment really appreciated the counter-top electric grill. Another needy family needed the mountain bike that was a great idea but took too much determination to correctly use regularly for exercise. One of those families found through Christian Inner Circle contacts needed a carpet shampoo/vacuum cleaner combination. The Salazar Family owned one that they needed, but they loaned it after meeting the people and explaining how to use the expensive machine. |
Jesus did not own anything to share but Himself. And He did that tirelessly. Because we own things, we have the opportunity to share more widely, if not more purely. We can be more like Jesus by sharing ourselves and what we own.
Jesus’ generous sharing attitude cannot be clearer than His promise to give to us all that God the Father has through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus’ generous sharing attitude cannot be clearer than His promise to give to us all that God the Father has through the Holy Spirit.
All that belongs to the Father is mine.
That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me
what he will make known to you.”
John 16:15
That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me
what he will make known to you.”
John 16:15
The above passage shows God giving everything to Jesus who passes them on to the Holy Spirit to give to us. In like fashion, we can let God’s provisions pass through our hands by giving our things to others for their need and joy. Another Together, Meet One Another’s Needs, emphasizes giving for basic needs. This Together, Share With One Another, includes basic needs but goes further. Sharing is not only about obvious need.
If one of us owns a boat, no one actually needs a boat ride unless there is a flood. However, there should be a charitable attitude to use that expensive possession for more than just our own pleasure and that of our family. Hopefully our Christian Inner Circles are not made up exclusively of well-to-do people. It would be more like the leading of Jesus to have a few poorer folks who would enjoy a boat ride. Then, sharing a day of boating with a poorer family or a disadvantaged kid would raise a sense of self-worth, give a fun experience never thought possible, or accomplish some other good thing.
What if we buy things we think we will enjoy only to realize that they don’t deliver as we anticipated? Instead of just storing them away, could we actively share? Would it not be like Jesus to begin considering who might enjoy what we found disappointing? Could we not give that thing away rather than put it to work collecting dust?
Jesus had his disciples share, in fact He expected it.
If one of us owns a boat, no one actually needs a boat ride unless there is a flood. However, there should be a charitable attitude to use that expensive possession for more than just our own pleasure and that of our family. Hopefully our Christian Inner Circles are not made up exclusively of well-to-do people. It would be more like the leading of Jesus to have a few poorer folks who would enjoy a boat ride. Then, sharing a day of boating with a poorer family or a disadvantaged kid would raise a sense of self-worth, give a fun experience never thought possible, or accomplish some other good thing.
What if we buy things we think we will enjoy only to realize that they don’t deliver as we anticipated? Instead of just storing them away, could we actively share? Would it not be like Jesus to begin considering who might enjoy what we found disappointing? Could we not give that thing away rather than put it to work collecting dust?
Jesus had his disciples share, in fact He expected it.
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
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John 6:5-6
Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”
He replied, “You give them something to eat.” |
Luke 9:12-13
These two times that Jesus fed the multitudes teach us something about sharing with one another. It is that we are to help one another share. Kind of like: “Jesus said so!” As Jesus told his disciples to give food, so we are like Jesus when we tell others in our sphere of Christian influence to share. We might find ourselves being like Jesus if we were to say to another who owns a boat, “Jesus will probably want you to use that boat to give some less fortunate people a chance to do something they only dream of being able to do.”
Like Jesus did, it is our responsibility to see that everyone in our Christian Inner Circles share at an active rather than passive level. It is the Lord’s wish, even command, that we all share. Additionally, there are advantages in spiritual growth (the growth of our spirits - the basic person we are) that go to heaven and improve the quality of life there – forever. In light of that, why would we not get everyone sharing? If those in our Christian Inner Circles mean that much to us, we don’t want them to disappoint God or miss out on benefits in heaven from not becoming great sharers this side of death.
Jesus even expected His disciples to share with Him, to give Him fish after the resurrection.
Like Jesus did, it is our responsibility to see that everyone in our Christian Inner Circles share at an active rather than passive level. It is the Lord’s wish, even command, that we all share. Additionally, there are advantages in spiritual growth (the growth of our spirits - the basic person we are) that go to heaven and improve the quality of life there – forever. In light of that, why would we not get everyone sharing? If those in our Christian Inner Circles mean that much to us, we don’t want them to disappoint God or miss out on benefits in heaven from not becoming great sharers this side of death.
Jesus even expected His disciples to share with Him, to give Him fish after the resurrection.
Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” . . . .
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
John 21:10,12
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.”
John 21:10,12
This incident is full of meaning. Jesus asks us to give Him what we consider ours. Then, He gives to others whatever He gets from our willingness. Therefore, we should regularly ask what Jesus might want us to give Him of our possessions and ourselves, and to whom He wants them distributed.
Sharing with one another is definitely being like our Savior. What joy! Surely, more than just hanging onto things too tightly. Let’s find that joy of sharing more and more as our lives mature in Jesus.
Opportunity to Worship God
Sharing with one another is definitely being like our Savior. What joy! Surely, more than just hanging onto things too tightly. Let’s find that joy of sharing more and more as our lives mature in Jesus.
Opportunity to Worship God
Anna feels inferior to her worship leader husband Luke who is quite respected for his performance and leadership during church services. But Luke knows that singing is only one way to worship, and quite easy compared to lifestyle worship. This is one worship leader who understands the wider breadth of worship. He is, therefore, quite humble and does not share his wife’s view of herself.
Luke knows how very accessible to others Anna is, and how she shares her food and lends her household tools and special cooking utensils freely. He knows that his wife considers all that they own, as well as herself, to belong totally to the Lord. He constantly asks her how she can be so generous without worry. Luke knows that it is he who is inferior in worship to his faithful wife. |
When we acknowledge that every good thing we own comes from God’s gracious generosity, we worship God. If we think that what we have is all due to our own effort, we deny God worship. That is why we want to thank Him for all good things.
When we recognize not only that God owns everything we have, but that He owns us as well and act like He owns us, we worship. If we consider our lives to belong to ourselves, we deny God’s purchase of us through the death of Jesus. God redeemed us for Himself, not for our own selfish selves.
Sharing requires these two aspects of worship: that all we own is not ours but His and that we also belong to God for Him to do with as He pleases. Then, these two forms of worship open the door to the worship of sharing, worship because it reflects God’s great generosity. In the way of worship, then, sharing brings a variety of worship that values God much.
First, we own nothing except that it is given to us by God. And, because we are His, that giving is not that we own our possessions outright, but only by delegation. This spiritual reality has a worldly parallel. For those of us who have mortgages, if someone asks if we own our home, we say we do when in reality the bank or mortgage holder does. We can act like we own it, but we really do not. We can keep it real nice or trash it, thinking that it is our own. But, it cannot be taken from us unless we don’t pay the mortgage payments.
There is one difference in this example. If we pay each month, the bank cannot come in and take our house back, even if we trash it. With God, He can take back what He has entrusted to us in many ways. He does not often do it, but He can. We need to be careful with the things God has entrusted to us.
Perhaps we own a fine crystal punch bowl set that cost us $2,000. How are we to think about that possession? Is it ours? Really ours?
When we recognize not only that God owns everything we have, but that He owns us as well and act like He owns us, we worship. If we consider our lives to belong to ourselves, we deny God’s purchase of us through the death of Jesus. God redeemed us for Himself, not for our own selfish selves.
Sharing requires these two aspects of worship: that all we own is not ours but His and that we also belong to God for Him to do with as He pleases. Then, these two forms of worship open the door to the worship of sharing, worship because it reflects God’s great generosity. In the way of worship, then, sharing brings a variety of worship that values God much.
First, we own nothing except that it is given to us by God. And, because we are His, that giving is not that we own our possessions outright, but only by delegation. This spiritual reality has a worldly parallel. For those of us who have mortgages, if someone asks if we own our home, we say we do when in reality the bank or mortgage holder does. We can act like we own it, but we really do not. We can keep it real nice or trash it, thinking that it is our own. But, it cannot be taken from us unless we don’t pay the mortgage payments.
There is one difference in this example. If we pay each month, the bank cannot come in and take our house back, even if we trash it. With God, He can take back what He has entrusted to us in many ways. He does not often do it, but He can. We need to be careful with the things God has entrusted to us.
Perhaps we own a fine crystal punch bowl set that cost us $2,000. How are we to think about that possession? Is it ours? Really ours?
You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
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Deut 8:17-18
In light of biblical truth, that $2,000 punch bowl belongs to us no more than a $50 cheap plastic punch bowl. In either case, God gave us the ability to buy it. Since He financed it, He can lay a claim to it. Just as I gave my canoe to my grandson and it is truly his, I can expect to be able to borrow it for my use. So, if God wants to use that $2,000 punch bowl in a wedding of two poor kids, our attitude should be one of willing and eager sharing.
What if we are worried about it getting broken? There is always that chance. But, what if we doubt the carefulness of the bride and groom’s friends? This we talk over with God and others in our Christian Inner Circle to find a solution to the risk factor. Perhaps we will loan it only if we can volunteer to help at the wedding and serve from the punch bowl. Maybe we talk with the wedding couple and those in charge of the reception and let them know how expensive it is and work out ways to keep it safe. It could be placed away from traffic and children be not allowed to serve themselves from it. The more work it takes to lend the punch bowl, as long as it is shared with the low-income couple, the higher quality worship it becomes.
What if what is needed is ourselves rather than our possessions? How are we to think about sharing ourselves rather than a possession? Is it really a Christian’s choice? Totally independent of God? What does the Bible say?
What if we are worried about it getting broken? There is always that chance. But, what if we doubt the carefulness of the bride and groom’s friends? This we talk over with God and others in our Christian Inner Circle to find a solution to the risk factor. Perhaps we will loan it only if we can volunteer to help at the wedding and serve from the punch bowl. Maybe we talk with the wedding couple and those in charge of the reception and let them know how expensive it is and work out ways to keep it safe. It could be placed away from traffic and children be not allowed to serve themselves from it. The more work it takes to lend the punch bowl, as long as it is shared with the low-income couple, the higher quality worship it becomes.
What if what is needed is ourselves rather than our possessions? How are we to think about sharing ourselves rather than a possession? Is it really a Christian’s choice? Totally independent of God? What does the Bible say?
The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
Job 33:4
Job 33:4
Perhaps we are 73 years old and in good health. Are we available to lend ourselves out to help a more feeble 63-year-old with some household task
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
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1 Cor 6:19-20
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
1 Cor 7:23
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
1 Cor 7:23
The Bible teaches us that we are given all things from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and that we belong to Him. So, if we have the health at age 73 to do something for someone younger and weaker, we can worship God by recognizing that our enduring health is because of God so that we can do whatever He wants us to do. Not sharing our good health with someone without good health is not the way of the kingdom of heaven.
Recognizing that everything we have has been given and doesn’t exclusively belong to us, and recognizing that we ourselves are owned by God for Him to do with as He pleases, opens up our spirits to share. Sharing is great worship because it reflects back to God His own generosity.
What is the greatest thing that God has shared with us? Is it not His Son?
Recognizing that everything we have has been given and doesn’t exclusively belong to us, and recognizing that we ourselves are owned by God for Him to do with as He pleases, opens up our spirits to share. Sharing is great worship because it reflects back to God His own generosity.
What is the greatest thing that God has shared with us? Is it not His Son?
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Fortunately, unlike Abraham, we are not asked to sacrifice our own son. Being grateful for that, shouldn’t it be easier to share our lives and our things with others, especially those in our Christian Inner Circles?
This worship we give God through sharing that reflects back to Him His own character is a great privilege. Think of all those who do not have the privilege of worship at all, those who have not been redeemed from their sins and face eternal separation from God.
Let’s amp up our worship by sharing ourselves and our things more than in the past. Let’s seek out opportunities to share so that we can hold God up high in worship that costs more than mere words.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
This worship we give God through sharing that reflects back to Him His own character is a great privilege. Think of all those who do not have the privilege of worship at all, those who have not been redeemed from their sins and face eternal separation from God.
Let’s amp up our worship by sharing ourselves and our things more than in the past. Let’s seek out opportunities to share so that we can hold God up high in worship that costs more than mere words.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Ella has three good friends who are a part of her Christian Inner Circle. They spend more time together because their children are of similar age. Recently, one of the friends let Ella down by backing out of an important commitment at the last moment for a superfluous reason. This friend had committed to watching Ella’s children while she celebrated her mother’s birthday at a fancy restaurant downtown. Behind this reneging was the self-centeredness Satan planted in the human race way back in the Garden of Eden.
In most other relationships, this situation could have done serious damage to the friendship group. However, these four friends had shared too much with one another over the years, so the bonds held under this attack from the devil who knew the friendship to be a powerful force against him. Over the years they had passed cribs back and forth as babies were born, lent tables and chairs for family events, and dozens of similar acts of sharing. As a result, resistance was always strong to Satan’s plans to destroy the Christian ministry of this friendship. And, the friends did go on to deal with the incident of leaving Ella stranded on the day she wanted to make her mother feel special. |
Sharing with one another is a powerful way to defeat Satan. Passive sharing hits him with low-caliber ammunition, but active, assertive sharing sends bombs his way.
The devil wants to rob God of His glory. As already mentioned, advanced sharing requires two aspects of worship to pave the way for sacrificial, sharing worship. Each of these two respective kinds of worship attacks Satan’s downgrade of God’s sovereign ownership.
To share more readily and costly, we must rejoice that everything we own actually belongs to God. Satan moved to turn people from respecting God as sovereign when in conversation with Eve he questioned God’s primary ownership of the Garden of Eden. He encouraged Adam and Eve to see the Garden as their own to do with as they pleased. God had already given them that privilege, but with limitations, since it was basically His Garden. Satan suggested that the tree at the center of the Garden was not forbidden.
So, when we grow more and more to accept and rejoice in the fact that everything we have belongs first to God, we deny the devil his view that everything we have is ours to do with as we wish, without regard to God’s instructions. If God tells us to share with one another, Satan will ask us, “Did God really mean that to such an extent? Surely, He means to only share those things that you don’t value so much. After all, your things are not His, they are yours. He has given them to you. You can be like God and determine how they are to be used.” We want to answer the evil one by saying in thought and action, “No. I do not have primary ownership of my things. I am a steward for God of all that I own. If God has use of them for the good of others, they are His to instruct His steward to use as He wishes.”
Secondly, when we accept with joy that we, like our possessions, do not belong to ourselves, we defeat Satan’s dastardly design for us to be independent of God and direct our own destiny. We reply to the self-centeredness of our old self, which was crucified with Christ yet still hangs around to tempt us with its inherent contamination from the devil, “I am God-centered. I have been crucified with Jesus and I no longer live independent of God, but Christ lives in me, and I belong to God to do with as He pleases.”
The devil wants to rob God of His glory. As already mentioned, advanced sharing requires two aspects of worship to pave the way for sacrificial, sharing worship. Each of these two respective kinds of worship attacks Satan’s downgrade of God’s sovereign ownership.
To share more readily and costly, we must rejoice that everything we own actually belongs to God. Satan moved to turn people from respecting God as sovereign when in conversation with Eve he questioned God’s primary ownership of the Garden of Eden. He encouraged Adam and Eve to see the Garden as their own to do with as they pleased. God had already given them that privilege, but with limitations, since it was basically His Garden. Satan suggested that the tree at the center of the Garden was not forbidden.
So, when we grow more and more to accept and rejoice in the fact that everything we have belongs first to God, we deny the devil his view that everything we have is ours to do with as we wish, without regard to God’s instructions. If God tells us to share with one another, Satan will ask us, “Did God really mean that to such an extent? Surely, He means to only share those things that you don’t value so much. After all, your things are not His, they are yours. He has given them to you. You can be like God and determine how they are to be used.” We want to answer the evil one by saying in thought and action, “No. I do not have primary ownership of my things. I am a steward for God of all that I own. If God has use of them for the good of others, they are His to instruct His steward to use as He wishes.”
Secondly, when we accept with joy that we, like our possessions, do not belong to ourselves, we defeat Satan’s dastardly design for us to be independent of God and direct our own destiny. We reply to the self-centeredness of our old self, which was crucified with Christ yet still hangs around to tempt us with its inherent contamination from the devil, “I am God-centered. I have been crucified with Jesus and I no longer live independent of God, but Christ lives in me, and I belong to God to do with as He pleases.”
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,
but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body,
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gal 2:20
but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body,
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
Gal 2:20
To summarize, we defeat Satan by two important requirements to prepare for true, biblical sharing. We recognize that we belong to God and not to ourselves, as the devil would want us to think and act. This defeats the evil one’s strategy to have us not be dedicated to God. We also thwart Satan by being sure that all we own is really owned by God to be used for His glory. Thus, by preparing to be able to share ourselves and our possessions more freely as asked by God in Scripture, we defeat Satan and open up a third way to defeat him.
That third way is the more extensive sharing for which we have prepared. It is a frontal attack on Satan’s basic strategy to divide Christians so that they cannot be strong enough to resist and fight him. Remember that God created us to be strong enough together but too weak to fight evil alone. (Remember King David, whom God called a man after His own heart, falling into grievous evil when alone on his rooftop.)
Sharing attaches us to one another more firmly. It can create Christian interdependence and community if done together with the other Togethers that solve problems that arise when loaning and borrowing. This stronger bond between us is definitely something that Satan does not want.
The bond between us is weak when it is made up only of church membership and small group involvement. Even if people do not change churches or small groups, relationships may not be connected by the kind of love that sharing requires.
What is the loss of a loaned post-hole digger destroyed or not returned if bonds with other Christians are strengthened through sharing and believers become more committed to one another? If, later, for example, a teenager in one family goes astray, there will be committed friends who will want to help. Many a divorce will not happen because too many close bonds with friends will be broken and proven, valuable relationships lost. (I know this from 50 years of counseling marriages.)
Sharing destroys wrong values that take us further from heaven in this current life. Separating us from living for earthly things, sharing helps us remember that we do not belong to this world and are citizens of heaven.
That third way is the more extensive sharing for which we have prepared. It is a frontal attack on Satan’s basic strategy to divide Christians so that they cannot be strong enough to resist and fight him. Remember that God created us to be strong enough together but too weak to fight evil alone. (Remember King David, whom God called a man after His own heart, falling into grievous evil when alone on his rooftop.)
Sharing attaches us to one another more firmly. It can create Christian interdependence and community if done together with the other Togethers that solve problems that arise when loaning and borrowing. This stronger bond between us is definitely something that Satan does not want.
The bond between us is weak when it is made up only of church membership and small group involvement. Even if people do not change churches or small groups, relationships may not be connected by the kind of love that sharing requires.
What is the loss of a loaned post-hole digger destroyed or not returned if bonds with other Christians are strengthened through sharing and believers become more committed to one another? If, later, for example, a teenager in one family goes astray, there will be committed friends who will want to help. Many a divorce will not happen because too many close bonds with friends will be broken and proven, valuable relationships lost. (I know this from 50 years of counseling marriages.)
Sharing destroys wrong values that take us further from heaven in this current life. Separating us from living for earthly things, sharing helps us remember that we do not belong to this world and are citizens of heaven.
For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, . . .
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Phil 3:18-20
More than just waiting for heaven, we are now to have our hearts in heaven with Jesus. This will result in downgrading our possessions and experiences and putting the will of God at higher priority.
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,
set your hearts on things above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:1
set your hearts on things above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God.
Col 3:1
Sharing thus takes us into heaven – at least in our minds and actions.
So, what are some examples of sharing ourselves and our possessions?
In the close relationships of our Christian Inner Circles, more is shared than material possessions. Children of single parents are taken for weekends to give the parent a rest. Trips to the theater include those who might be alone and otherwise have no one to go with. Books and DVDs are passed on. The list is extensive and includes the sharing of time, effort, money, material goods and encouragement. Even the sharing of our loved ones is required, as when a spouse is needed for support during a crisis on a night when the couple had made special plans.
Small churches have a great advantage in implementing this Together of sharing with one another. People know one another in smaller assemblies, while large churches are filled with strangers and there is not the required trust for lending possessions. Asking church members in a small church to share possessions with one another would call members to trust God and take risks in loving. And, if anything goes wrong such as someone not taking good care of another’s possession, in smaller churches leadership can identify needed spiritual growth and intervene.
Churches are afraid of doing anything that might cause problems between people, and lending things has that risk. Unfortunately, more risk is just what the church needs if it is going to help people go beyond head knowledge to real spiritual growth. Problems are great for the church because they force Christians to grow spiritually rather than settle for easy faith that remains weak and less significant.
So, what are some examples of sharing ourselves and our possessions?
In the close relationships of our Christian Inner Circles, more is shared than material possessions. Children of single parents are taken for weekends to give the parent a rest. Trips to the theater include those who might be alone and otherwise have no one to go with. Books and DVDs are passed on. The list is extensive and includes the sharing of time, effort, money, material goods and encouragement. Even the sharing of our loved ones is required, as when a spouse is needed for support during a crisis on a night when the couple had made special plans.
Small churches have a great advantage in implementing this Together of sharing with one another. People know one another in smaller assemblies, while large churches are filled with strangers and there is not the required trust for lending possessions. Asking church members in a small church to share possessions with one another would call members to trust God and take risks in loving. And, if anything goes wrong such as someone not taking good care of another’s possession, in smaller churches leadership can identify needed spiritual growth and intervene.
Churches are afraid of doing anything that might cause problems between people, and lending things has that risk. Unfortunately, more risk is just what the church needs if it is going to help people go beyond head knowledge to real spiritual growth. Problems are great for the church because they force Christians to grow spiritually rather than settle for easy faith that remains weak and less significant.
But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.
1 Cor 8:1
1 Cor 8:1
We must stop settling for intellectual growth. It is not adequate growth of our spirits, the deepest part of ourselves. Bible obedience must follow learning the Bible. The weak American church that has so unimpressed a watching world has so over-emphasized gaining Bible knowledge that Bible obedience, especially in the way of Christian relationships, has been overlooked and consigned to church programs wherein a few motivated members make the church appear caring. People’s needs are handled by church officers, usually deacons, and there is no real expectation that everyone listening to a sermon on loving and sharing must honor God and get into the action in their close Christian relationships.
Let’s not just know about sharing. And, let’s not just share occasionally. God has been very generous to us, so let’s seek out ways to share ourselves and our possessions. In this way, we will defeat Satan by creating such strong bonds of love that he cannot divide us.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Let’s not just know about sharing. And, let’s not just share occasionally. God has been very generous to us, so let’s seek out ways to share ourselves and our possessions. In this way, we will defeat Satan by creating such strong bonds of love that he cannot divide us.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
When in a panic Abigail called Jonathan, a man she worked with who was also in her Christian Inner Circle, she told him she had to immediately get to her daughter’s college. Her daughter had been raped and Abigail had no reliable automobile to make the 1,000 mile trip. Abigail desperately needed to get there and bring her daughter home. Unfortunately, Jonathan could not go as his car was in the shop being repaired.
Therefore, Jonathan immediately began calling every close friend and relative in his Christian Inner Circle to ask them if they or anyone in their own Christian Inner Circles had a car that could be borrowed. A friend of someone in Jonathan’s Inner Circle offered a car, another offered gas money, and a third person who had a sister who had gone through something similar insisted that she drive as Abigail was probably in no shape to be behind the wheel. The rescue went well, but, unfortunately, the car’s radiator blew just five miles from home. The fellow who lent the car did not have the money for the expensive repair. So, Jonathan was back on the phone. More than enough money for the car repair was raised. In all, twelve people shared something needed to see that Abigail could retrieve her daughter. All lost something in the process and did not care. Any suffering was more than offset by the rewards there would be in heaven for such generosity. This was great preparation for heaven. And, the preparation for heaven through sharing hasn’t stopped, as all are pitching in to pay for whatever counseling is needed by Abigail’s daughter. |
There is great value in sharing things to help one another out. However, the spiritual benefits are even more valuable.
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
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1 Tim 6:18-19
Take special note that sharing is included in laying a firm foundation for heaven and beginning to take hold of real life. Sharing is that important!
Growing in faith to be able to share more and more yields these great benefits for heaven.
(1) Recognizing, accepting, and rejoicing that we do not belong to ourselves, but to God who purchased us with His Son’s blood, prepares us to go to heaven as more joyful and obedient citizens of the King.
(2) Recognizing, accepting, and rejoicing that our possessions are not truly our own but on loan from God prepares us to go to heaven and treat possessions, experiences, and people as belonging to God so that forever we will handle it all with special reverence.
(3) Then, sharing itself is worship because it reflects God’s generous character. The more we share now, the more joy of worship we will have through our abundant sharing in heaven.
(4) Sharing is also preparation for living forever in God’s heaven where possessions are definitely not more valued than people. We grow in putting people before things and move away from materialism. We upgrade relationship happiness and lessen happiness from possessions and experiences. Loaning more expensive items requires greater values regarding people and less concern for things.
(5) For many Christians, sharing things that cost more to replace than they have money set aside requires faith that God will take care of them. The financial risk in sharing makes our trust in God grow. This is valuable in heaven where great trust will make it easier to risk in many ways we can imagine and a hundred times more of which we cannot even dream.
Growing in faith to be able to share more and more yields these great benefits for heaven.
(1) Recognizing, accepting, and rejoicing that we do not belong to ourselves, but to God who purchased us with His Son’s blood, prepares us to go to heaven as more joyful and obedient citizens of the King.
(2) Recognizing, accepting, and rejoicing that our possessions are not truly our own but on loan from God prepares us to go to heaven and treat possessions, experiences, and people as belonging to God so that forever we will handle it all with special reverence.
(3) Then, sharing itself is worship because it reflects God’s generous character. The more we share now, the more joy of worship we will have through our abundant sharing in heaven.
(4) Sharing is also preparation for living forever in God’s heaven where possessions are definitely not more valued than people. We grow in putting people before things and move away from materialism. We upgrade relationship happiness and lessen happiness from possessions and experiences. Loaning more expensive items requires greater values regarding people and less concern for things.
(5) For many Christians, sharing things that cost more to replace than they have money set aside requires faith that God will take care of them. The financial risk in sharing makes our trust in God grow. This is valuable in heaven where great trust will make it easier to risk in many ways we can imagine and a hundred times more of which we cannot even dream.
They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever.”
2 Cor 9:9
their righteousness endures forever.”
2 Cor 9:9
These five benefits for heaven, strengthened by taking risks to help others through sharing, are worth seeking now before we die. Let’s look for ways to share things we are too attached to as well as not wealthy enough to easily replace if they are damaged.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
Yesterday I met the most interesting person while on a walk alone in heaven’s huge desert park. Binda is an aboriginal from Australia in the Old Earth. He wanted to tell me all about the outback he once lived in. And, he wanted to visit me soon and bring some things he had made here in heaven. He looked like he got such joy in giving things to people. And, he was quick to point out that the things were not his but belonged to God.
What a life, with everyone wanting to share whatever they have found good, helpful, and enjoyable. There is no “don’t touch” here, no “you break it and you buy it”. I am growing in this ability to share with excitement, but most people are way ahead of me in that department. |
Many of us know the joy that comes from passing good things along to others. Perhaps someone was through with a great Christian DVD course on some aspect of walking with Jesus and gives it to us. We watch it and find it inspiring. We then experience the joy of passing in on to someone else.
That is what life will be like in heaven. Sharing will open up many joys of discovery.
We cherish something helpful that a beloved grandparent told us more than if we found it out on television. Life-changing knowledge packaged in love will always beat out pixels and sound bites. That is why we Christians value the Bible more than outsiders. We know that it is God’s Word, our loving God bending down and talking with us.
That is what life will be like in heaven. Sharing will open up many joys of discovery.
We cherish something helpful that a beloved grandparent told us more than if we found it out on television. Life-changing knowledge packaged in love will always beat out pixels and sound bites. That is why we Christians value the Bible more than outsiders. We know that it is God’s Word, our loving God bending down and talking with us.
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
Psalm 116:1-2
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
Psalm 116:1-2
God is not in love with technology, but with His people. He did not send His Son to die that we might invent smart phones that do all but brush our teeth. Relationships will be far more important than technology in heaven. Geeks will be more interested in talking with people than fiddling with their latest technological acquisition. So, consider the following scenario.
God creates a new kind of flower. He does not put its picture and information out on television or Internet. Instead, He shows and tells that small percentage of heaven’s citizens who developed their joy over His creations back before their deaths and were superior in sharing their possessions and knowledge. They see the new unique creation and are given the assignment to share with others. All heaven is excited to see this new thing from the Creator’s mind. Each person looks forward to the unveiling when it gets to them.
This possible vision of how heaven might be emphasizes relationship over knowledge and technology. Today we have lost the thrill that was around before television when there was great excitement that a circus was coming to town sometime in the next few years. The waiting just made the excitement grow.
If heaven is like this scenario, then sharing will be a very big thing there.
Think of the excitement of sharing and being shared with that awaits us. Sharing with one another now will just make it all that much more natural and wonderful in heaven. We want all of our senses in heaven to enjoy sharing, both giving and receiving.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
God creates a new kind of flower. He does not put its picture and information out on television or Internet. Instead, He shows and tells that small percentage of heaven’s citizens who developed their joy over His creations back before their deaths and were superior in sharing their possessions and knowledge. They see the new unique creation and are given the assignment to share with others. All heaven is excited to see this new thing from the Creator’s mind. Each person looks forward to the unveiling when it gets to them.
This possible vision of how heaven might be emphasizes relationship over knowledge and technology. Today we have lost the thrill that was around before television when there was great excitement that a circus was coming to town sometime in the next few years. The waiting just made the excitement grow.
If heaven is like this scenario, then sharing will be a very big thing there.
Think of the excitement of sharing and being shared with that awaits us. Sharing with one another now will just make it all that much more natural and wonderful in heaven. We want all of our senses in heaven to enjoy sharing, both giving and receiving.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
My neighbors and friends, Piper and Julian, just got a visit from Jesus. I overheard their conversation because I live in the next apartment in the Cascading Falls Region of the New Jerusalem.
Jesus just wanted to reminisce about how He had given them a timeshare when they had been married back on the Old Earth. He seemed so happy with them. They used the timeshare four years and gave the opportunity to spend time relaxing at a vacation spot to others the other 8 years. Then they had to sell it. I wish I had gotten over my love of possessions and shared more. I can’t be unhappy here in heaven, but I do have regrets, just not regrets with pain attached. I will be happy to hear Julian and Piper tell me about their visit with our Lord. I hope I get a visit from Him soon about something I did well. |
No one is more generous than God. He will appreciate those of His people who are also very generous.
Suppose a parent gives one of the children a bag of candy and asks that it be shared with the other children. What if that child eats it all and does not share any of it? What effect will that have on the relationship with the parent who supplied the candy?
What if that child shares a little, but eats most of the candy? How will that effect the relationship with the parent? And, what if the child shares the candy equally? Or gives another child more than he or she ate for some good reason? Certainly the parent will be most happy with the last scenario and treat that most generous child best.
Why wouldn’t it be the same with God. When we get to heaven, will He want to be closer to us because we shared most generously? It sure seems He would.
We can apply the same reasoning to accepting His ownership of ourselves and our possessions.
Suppose a parent gives one of the children a bag of candy and asks that it be shared with the other children. What if that child eats it all and does not share any of it? What effect will that have on the relationship with the parent who supplied the candy?
What if that child shares a little, but eats most of the candy? How will that effect the relationship with the parent? And, what if the child shares the candy equally? Or gives another child more than he or she ate for some good reason? Certainly the parent will be most happy with the last scenario and treat that most generous child best.
Why wouldn’t it be the same with God. When we get to heaven, will He want to be closer to us because we shared most generously? It sure seems He would.
We can apply the same reasoning to accepting His ownership of ourselves and our possessions.
For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
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1 Cor 8:5-6
How can it be good for our relationship with God to act like our bodies and our choices are our very own? The Corinthian church that received the instruction above was being warned to not let any idols ruin their life in Christ. We can become our own idol if we think that we need only consider our own wishes. We don’t want to do that. The eternal consequences are just too harmful.
It is rather arrogant to expect that God will treat all of us equally, no matter how we lived before death. Why, even Jesus was closest to the Apostle John and closer to Peter, James and John than the other apostles. Therefore, let’s not ignore this opportunity to grow in the generosity of sharing. Let’s aspire to the closest relationship with God that we can accomplish.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Most Generous God, Father Who Provides, Master Who Owns me and all I have, help me to willingly share with other Christians. Help me to look for opportunities to share rather than just sit back and wait to be asked if something can be borrowed. Help me to see myself as Your steward in charge of my possessions and myself, to be used as You wish, to be shared for Your glory.
If there is anyone in my Christian Inner Circle who is reluctant to share, provide the opportunity for me and others to help them see the duty and the joy of sharing.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to want to share radically with those in our Christian Inner Circles and churches. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we do not hold on to our possessions, ourselves, and opportunities when they are needed by someone else in the body of Christ.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and share ourselves tirelessly as He did. And, like Jesus does with us in the pages of Scripture, let us tell others that they are to actively share, not just when the need is screaming for attention.
May our lives worship You more because we realize that our possessions, what we have to offer others in relationship with them, and the opportunities we have are generous gifts of grace from You and are to be used for Your glory.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by acknowledging that God owns all that we have and are and by being so thankful that we actively share with other Christians. Help us to show the devil that his selfish ways are disgusting, and that his view that everything we have is ours to do with as we please, without regard to God’s instructions, is just plain unappetizing.
Help us all prepare for heaven’s totally unselfish lifestyle by growing more completely to share our possessions, ourselves and our opportunities with other Christians. Empower us to grasp the joy of sharing now and then, later, to grow more joyful in heaven.
It is rather arrogant to expect that God will treat all of us equally, no matter how we lived before death. Why, even Jesus was closest to the Apostle John and closer to Peter, James and John than the other apostles. Therefore, let’s not ignore this opportunity to grow in the generosity of sharing. Let’s aspire to the closest relationship with God that we can accomplish.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Most Generous God, Father Who Provides, Master Who Owns me and all I have, help me to willingly share with other Christians. Help me to look for opportunities to share rather than just sit back and wait to be asked if something can be borrowed. Help me to see myself as Your steward in charge of my possessions and myself, to be used as You wish, to be shared for Your glory.
If there is anyone in my Christian Inner Circle who is reluctant to share, provide the opportunity for me and others to help them see the duty and the joy of sharing.
I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to want to share radically with those in our Christian Inner Circles and churches. Help us to yield to the work of the Holy Spirit for all of us to give You more glory in the way we do not hold on to our possessions, ourselves, and opportunities when they are needed by someone else in the body of Christ.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and share ourselves tirelessly as He did. And, like Jesus does with us in the pages of Scripture, let us tell others that they are to actively share, not just when the need is screaming for attention.
May our lives worship You more because we realize that our possessions, what we have to offer others in relationship with them, and the opportunities we have are generous gifts of grace from You and are to be used for Your glory.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by acknowledging that God owns all that we have and are and by being so thankful that we actively share with other Christians. Help us to show the devil that his selfish ways are disgusting, and that his view that everything we have is ours to do with as we please, without regard to God’s instructions, is just plain unappetizing.
Help us all prepare for heaven’s totally unselfish lifestyle by growing more completely to share our possessions, ourselves and our opportunities with other Christians. Empower us to grasp the joy of sharing now and then, later, to grow more joyful in heaven.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.