Sunday, August 3 - To Toot Thine Own Horn

As Stan was preaching from Matthew 6 this past Sunday, his words about the text brought many thoughts to my mind, but one in particular gripped me.

Our Lord was confronting something that was violently wrong.

As Jesus called the people to a righteousness that exceeded that of the Scribes and the Pharisees, he brings up the subject of alms giving. He states that people should not "sound the trumpet" to be seen as they give alms to the poor. If their motive is to be seen by men, then they have already received their reward. The Almighty Judge is not impressed, though men may be.

To me, this teaching shows that there is something at work beyond pride. It is a pride that thrives upon hatred of others. It is a hateful pride that was embraced by the religious community surrounding the Temple in the days of Christ.

Here is what I mean by "a hateful pride". Image driving to your church service on Sunday morning. There are people of your faith, or your neighborhood who are poverty-stricken and broken by disease. They sit outside the doors to your place of worship. When you walk up, they appeal to you "My friend, gain merit with God by giving me your pocket change." Instead of being broken in spirit at their condition. Instead of being overwhelmed in empathy with them. Instead of seeking to help them and minister to them...you see this as an opportunity to do two things. First, you can use them to bolster your place in the Kingdom of God. You believe that your gift to them helps you overcome your personal sins and that God is now obliged to show you favor. Second, this is not enough for you. You have decided to use this person for your own pride and arrogance. You will not only give to them, but you will make a show of it so that others may see it.

This is not just wrong, this is violent sin. It is sin that operates upon and thrives in the foundation of poverty and pain. And yet it was religiously acceptable and encouraged.

Our Lord shows forth love and mercy. He teaches to help without regard for self, but only with regard for those who need it.

Oh, what a contrast between the picture of the Scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 6 with the power of the Gospel in Acts 3! (See this entry for more info).

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In our Bible Study hour, David was back and we returned to our Study in Revelation. We looked at the letter to the church at Laodicea and had a very important discussion of the meaning of this letter and its particular relationship to many of us in the churches in America who have much wealth and personal/national pride.

Let us be sure we follow the loving urging of our Lord to seek to buy refined gold from Him and to be clothed and healed of that which blinds us. May we be encouraged both individually and corporately to seek the Heavenly Guest and take our great pleasure and satisfaction in divine fellowship.

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Finally, one of the hymns that we sang was written by Timothy Dwight. While our hymnal only has a few of the lines, here are the rest from CyberHymnal:

I love Thy kingdom, Lord,
The house of Thine abode,
The church our blessed Redeemer saved
With His own precious blood.

I love Thy church, O God.
Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye,
And written on Thy hand.

If e’er to bless Thy sons
My voice or hands deny,
These hands let useful skills forsake,
This voice in silence die.

Should I with scoffers join
Her altars to abuse?
No! Better far my tongue were dumb,
My hand its skill should lose.

For her my tears shall fall
For her my prayers ascend,
To her my cares and toils be given
Till toils and cares shall end.

Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.

Jesus, Thou Friend divine,
Our Savior and our King,
Thy hand from every snare and foe
Shall great deliverance bring.

Sure as Thy truth shall last,
To Zion shall be given
The brightest glories earth can yield
And brighter bliss of Heaven.