Paul encouraged the Hebrews to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and their bodies washed with pure water (Heb. 10:22). Upon achieving this condition the consecrated member is in a position to consider others and to provoke unto love and good works (Heb. 10:24). A commitment to fellow brethren is required in order to assist them in their Christian walk.

Indeed, we are our brother's keeper (Gen. 4:9). By "keeping" our brother we guard him, protect him, and attend to his needs. Listening, caring, and sharing in daily experiences in a nonjudgmental fashion and with an attitude of brotherly love is not only a privilege, but a responsibility to each ecclesia member.

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.- 1 John 3:14, 16

Class Affairs

The new creature strongly desires to do all things pleasing in God's sight. (1 John 3:22) He is sensitive and conscientious in behavior and attitude when dealing with class affairs. When the new creature is watching and praying for personal guidance within his own life and concentrated on obedience to God's law of love, spiritual maturity naturally turns outward and overflows into the lives of others. Through faithfulness and trust in God's promised grace, the fruits of the spirit have a fertile heart in which to develop and flourish. Feature each member contributing his "fruits of the spirit" in an ecclesia setting. The atmosphere is filled with the holy spirit and an awareness of God's presence. Unity of the spirit prevails and selfish desires are totally absent.

Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.-Philippians 2:2-5

Serving One Another

Love for the brethren reflects love for the Lord. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matt.25:40). The assembling of brethren together provides a wonderful opportunity to serve one another and to provide spiritual gifts for one another. Encouraging, forgiving, and praying for brethren are means of truly supplying them with a "drink of water," lifting them up and refreshing them. Let us be cheerful, zealous and generous in giving spiritual gifts.

He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:6, 7

And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily 1 say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.-Matthew 10:42

Ecclesia Maturity

The Christian maturity of each ecclesia will vary depending on the maturity of the individual members. But, Christ is the ultimate goal both individually and collectively; and with the power of the holy Spirit the fruits of the spirit are manifested-love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (See Gal. 5:22). In recognizing the influence of the individual's role in the ecclesia, each member endeavors to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). Following in the footsteps of Jesus, all strive to keep the law of love and dwell together in unity (Psa. 133:1).

Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love;

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

The Example At Antioch

As an example of an ecclesia organized under the teachings of the apostles, the following verses describe and reflect the Christian character of the brethren at Antioch:

Who, when he [Barnabas] came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. And it came to pass that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.-Acts 11:22-26

Barnabas recognized the grace of God manifested in the believers at Antioch revealed by their faith and conduct. The cleansing and sanctifying power of the truth amongst these believers was quickly discerned, and Barnabas "was glad" for them.

This is a beautiful example of Christian development in a young assembly of brethren. They met together and studied the scriptures diligently. They were sensitive to the needs of their fellow brethren and were organized in such a fashion that agreement and action could be taken jointly. Their spirit of sweet sacrifice both spiritually and monetarily reflected in their decision to send aid to the church in Judæa. They chose their leaders after much prayer and fasting and trusted according to God's will. The result of their obedience permitted them to serve the Lord by providing for his little ones. The example of the Christians at. Antioch continues to serve as a stimulant to good works for the church class today (Acts 11:27-30).

Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.-Hebrews 10:24, 25

Ecclesia Elections

Following the example of the early churches, each ecclesia has the privilege and responsibility to elect leaders by stretching out the hand. (2 Cor. 8:19; Titus 1:3)

Among the brethren are usually found those who have leadership qualities either as an elder or deacon. They are humbly devoted and obedient to the Lord, and they are self sacrificing. Their knowledge and understanding of the scriptures is doctrinally sound, and they have a sincere desire to serve their fellow brethren. Each should be totally willing to either be elected or not.

In electing servants of the class a serious responsibility falls upon each consecrated member. All candidates for office should be prayerfully considered, leaning upon the Lord's spirit of love and wisdom to make a final decision.

Once elders, deacons, and other assigned roles are determined, the responsibility does not end. It is more important to continue praying and fasting in support of the leaders. Preparing and participating in studies and other meetings, cooperating in activities, and assisting when possible, strengthens the class and permits the leaders to fulfill their responsibilities to the flock. Each member has an opportunity to be a blessing by contributing to the spiritual nourishment of all.

Liberty

As the new creature progresses in his Christian walk, he recognizes his failures, weaknesses, and imperfections. An appreciation is developed for the heavenly Father's mercy and patience and the provision of the robe of righteousness to cover fleshly weaknesses. In the humbleness of this reality, liberty for fellow brethren is achieved.

Each individual called is entitled to a personal walk with Christ. The necessary experiences to make his calling and election sure are unique. No one can fully understand the personal trials and experiences of others, and only God knows their needs. Therefore, liberty and mercy toward fellow members must prevail!

For the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.-2 Corinthians 3:17

Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.-1 Corinthians 7:24

For the body is not one member, but many .... But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. There should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.1 Corinthians 12:14, 18, 25, 26

Be ye kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another. Romans 12:10

Conventions

Each ecclesia is recognized as Christians bonded together in the faith, and each in turn is bonded to other ecclesias of like faith. Thus, as the theme text indicates, each

class is "fitly framed together," growing unto the same holy temple. Consecrated Christians gather in various ecclesias around the world. Continuing to this day is the blessing of uniting with members from other ecclesias in a convention setting to share the depth and beauty of the riches of God's plan and to participate in an even greater realization of the bond of love in one body, one faith. Praise the Lord!

In all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.-Ephesians 4:2-4

Love and Marriage

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.-Genesis 2:24

By Brad Bach

The Gospel age is essentially for one basic purpose, the choosing of a bride by the heavenly Father for his Son. We all long for the marriage of the bride and the Lamb (Rev. 19:7), so that the children of the kingdom may begin to be brought forth-the same children that were born of the first Adam and the first Eve. These-born in sin and shapen in iniquity-will, under the second Adam and the second Eve, be nurtured through the kingdom to gain eternal life. Seeing then that we are all striving to this position we should be giving a great deal of thought to what constitutes a desirable spouse for Christ. If we can perform these duties faithfully here in an earthly marriage, this will demonstrate our future performance when joined to our heavenly bridegroom.

Marriage, like all the concerns of a Christian life, is to be guided by God's principles. These principles we find in abundant supply in the scriptures. We should not expect to find a law of specific rules governing married life, a "do this and don't do that" structure, nor for any of life's affairs. Following a set of rules and regulations is not the Lord's purpose for the church. Rather, he desires us to learn scriptural principles as a basis for decisions and sound behavior. These principles can then be applied both to marriage and to various other situations.

Many of the issues in marriage are common to all the issues of life with which we have dealings as a Christian. The same principles apply. The main difference is that we spend so much time with our spouse that the influence we exert upon one another is far greater than in any other relationship.

Aquila and Priscilla

Consider the principle found in 1 Timothy 4:12 as it applies to our married life: Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Marriage means a responsibility regarding our example and how we influence for good or for evil the one to whom we have been joined. This fact is illustrated in scripture in the case of Aquila and Priscilla, who are mentioned in five separate occasions by the Apostle Paul, and always as husband and wife. What a great influence to zeal they must have had upon each other in the service of the Lord, to be about the Father's business-exhibiting a willingness to serve and encouraging each other to lay down their lives in the Lord's service. As with Aquila and Priscilla, we now are proving where our true affections lie and what kind of marriage partner we will be for the Lord Jesus in the kingdom. The Apostle Paul must have had a special place in his heart for this husband and wife team. Observing how they worked together must have made him think of the unified effort of Jesus and the church. Thus, he often mentions them in his epistle greetings.

Ananias and Sapphira

On the other hand, note Ananias and Sapphira. This husband and wife team conspired together to lie to God and to the church about their assets, which they claimed were all being given to the communal purse.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hast Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God . . . . And Peter answered unto her [Sapphira], tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the .spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Acts 5:3, 8

How much influence did these two have upon each other? We can well imagine that they had some lengthy discussions about the moral integrity of the choice before them. While one may have had a greater influence on the decision reached, both were in agreement in the end. Whether by themselves or with another spouse their decisions may have been different, we cannot know; but in any case they reached a mutual decision and thereby showed themselves unfit to be considered by the Lord as a bride for himself. They showed a mind willing to deceive, a mind untrustworthy, unbelieving, uncertain. As James states it, a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). These are qualities a wise bridegroom would not seek in his bride. Compared to the glowing legacy of Aquila and Priscilla, Ananias and Sapphira influenced each other to a legacy of destruction. Quite a contrast! Each of us must keep in mind that how we influence our spouse and those around us is a serious matter and may well affect our eternal destiny.

Unequally Yoked

Many in the early church were already married when the gospel was first preached to them and may not have found their spouses sympathetic. This occasioned the Apostle Paul to write specifically on this matter in 1 Corinthians 7. These thoughts can well be coupled with the principle in 2 Corinthians 6:14-be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. To marry outside of the Lord's people is to court spiritual disaster.

Even those who do follow the Lord's counsel should not conclude that they will be the perfect spouse, nor should perfection be expected of their mate. We are still in the flesh. The Apostle Paul knew that our imperfections would be a source of friction in married life. With a subtle touch of humor, he states in 1 Corinthians 7:28: if thou marry, thou hast not sinned, . . . nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh; but I would spare you.

Covering up Weaknesses

It is wise counsel that one should try to "cover up his weaknesses" so as not to be a hindrance in one's marriage. Married life is excellent practice for gaining control of the flesh and bringing our thoughts into subjection. In marriage the opportunities for self discipline and seeking not our own come at frequent and rapid intervals, giving the chance to truly inscribe these desired traits into one's character. Being conscious of our own imperfections should help us to allow love to cover the weaknesses and imperfections of our partner. In this vein Paul says, and those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness (1 Cor. 12:23).

Love suffereth long (1 Cor. 13:4). This has the meaning of forbearance. It puts up with flaws and seeks to be constructive. Love fervently, for love veils a multitude of faults (1 Peter 4:8, Weymouth). We imagine that this was the attitude of both Aquila and Priscilla. There simply must have been a willingness to extend patience and mercy to each other in order to have their marriage and work together in the Lord's service. In exhibiting this behavior we demonstrate once again that we have a heart and character that is compatible with Jesus. Who is more patient and enduring than our Lord? If he has shown this merciful attitude toward us, shall he not expect his future bride to be of the same disposition.

Love is kind (1 Cor. 13:4). This Christian principle is a key element in a good marriage. Ask yourself how easy or how hard it is to find a compliment for your spouse. We all desire that our spouse be kind. Certainly the Lord shows his kindness toward us daily. He even shows kindness to the unthankful and estranged, how much more to those that are his begotten. How easy or how hard is it to point out a fault that would belittle our spouse? A tactful, occasional mention of an area for improvement should be tolerated (as the Lord shows us our faults), but a harsh statement is unkind and will serve to tear down a spouse's self-esteem and the marriage as well. How would we feel as a Christian if the Lord smote us each time we did something less than perfect? But he does not. He tells us that though we may need to be forgiven seventy times seven, yet he will never leave us nor forsake us. Let your spouse know that you accept and love them as they are but your hope is that, by and by, you both can grow together in the Lord. We can imagine many discussions, filled with tender, upbuilding, complimentary, kind words spoken between Aquila and Priscilla, but few unkind words. The bride of Christ is loving and kind.

Speak No Evil

Another responsibility in marriage is found in Titus 3:2, Speak evil of no man. How important this principle is in marriage. A great deal of our character testing takes place within the family circle. Here, we "let our hair down." Here, that "that little member"-the tongue-can rear up. Every husband and wife knows that there can be a temptation to talk about others. This is because of the high level of acceptance of each other and a consequent feeling of ease in conversation. It should be a lesson early learned, however, that this type of conversation is misplaced confidentiality; the Lord is hearing every word spoken (Matt. 12:36). Think of your marriage to the Lamb of God. Will he desire a wife that speaks evil of others? No! His bride shall stand and speak in the light. Do not let your marriage become a sanctuary for speaking evil and getting away with it. Rather, resolve to be an example to your spouse and thereby earn their respect in Christ. We feel certain that Jesus will have a bride in whose mouth is found no guile.

Arguments

In 1 Corinthians 7:28, Paul saw that marriage occasionally brings trouble in the flesh, which he would like to spare us. Arguments are one of these troubles. If any have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye (Col. 3:13). In marriage an occasional argument will occur. This is not surprising. Having to deal with many hard decisions and trying moments causes pressure. The point to be made however is that we should be quick to make up. Daily reconciliation is the scriptural prescription. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath (Eph. 4:26). We need to remember how frequently the Lord has forgiven us and how quickly he brings us back into his loving arms. What a wonderful bridegroom he is! If a quarrel has occurred and your spouse comes to you, make it easy for them to do so. Do not make them go through a great penitence performance while you reluctantly look on. Forgiveness as an abiding attitude in our heart before it is even sought after is necessary. An appreciation of our Lord's readiness to forgive us should be reflected in our readiness to forgive and embrace our spouse (Eph. 4:26).

Order

An absolute feature of God's character to consider in marriage is order.

But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.-1 Corinthians 11:3

The Apostle Paul has couched this marital information within a much broader theme of God's order. This emphasizes that "order" in marriage is not a singular consideration but rather part of a cohesive structure that stabilizes all his creation (Eph. 5:22-33). We know that with the change of dispensations the -world is advocating arrangements different from those the Lord designed for the development of the church-women's rights, women's equality, even women in the role of priests and pastors. The influence of the world in our day strives against the headship of the man. Therefore it poses a threat to the contented Christian home. Marriage can be looked on as a partnership, but the husband is the senior partner. While it may be true that senior partners do not always make the best choices in the best way, the Christian responsibility in marriage is for the husband to do his very best and thereby to earn and hold the respect of his wife. The husband should honor his wife and consider her wishes as he seeks to live up to his responsibilities (1 Peter 3:7).

The position of the wife must be as a solid helpmate to the husband's position as head. There should not be a struggle for power and control of the family. It may at times, because of the husband's lack of ability and the wife's greater ability in certain matters, seem wise to alter this order. However our wisdom should be quick to relinquish to the higher wisdom of God. When we step out on our own wisdom, departing from God's ways, there is a likelihood of unpleasant results.

Child Raising

God carefully selects the bride of Christ. He chooses one that will be compatible to the heavenly Bridegroom and be his helpmate in the raising up of his resurrected children in the kingdom. Having the capacity to guide children well is a trait of a mature Christian (1 Tim. 3:4).

In choosing your spouse and in your spouse choosing you, each gave the other one of the highest compliments they could possibly give. In effect, each said that they saw in each other something so desirable that, of all other people, this was the one person with whom they wanted to spend the rest of their life and with whom they wanted to raise their children. This is a goal for each of us to try to live up to-the beauty that first attracted us to the other as a marriage partner.

Although a cliché, it is nevertheless true that good marriages have to be worked at. You have to think about them. Daily and hourly consideration has to be given as to what effect your attitude and words and actions are having on your spouse. As with the development of the individual Christian, so with the Christian couple, it is the little every day things which make the relationship strong. Be positive. Look for the good qualities in your spouse and be quick to mention the things you appreciate about them. It is necessary that Christian marriage partners help each other to a good positive self esteem. To do so will encourage growth, both within the marriage and in the Lord.

Finally, Christian responsibility in marriage means to let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16). How we handle our marriage responsibilities and how we treat our partner will not go unnoticed by the world around us. Since it is a living testimony, it is one of the most powerful ways to let the sanctifying effect of the truth bring glory to our wonderful heavenly Father. The world is in a state of turmoil with only solid marriages and families surviving the test.

Those whose marriages are healthy give evidence that they are led by the holy Spirit of God. May God bless all that are so joined together in him to this very end, so that all may be to his honor and glory.

Train Up a Child in the Way
He Should Go

Choose you this day whom ye will serve . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. -- Joshua 24:15

This is our goal -- to have our house, our family, love and serve the LORD. Toward that end, we hunger and thirst for every bit of help we can get. This article considers some suggestions given by a Bible Student educator of our fellowship.

As parents, or as friends who want to support the parent in his earnest endeavors to fulfill this proverb, how can we best train a child ?

The word "train" (Strong's #2596) means to initiate, discipline, catechize, or instruct as to correct manners and habits. Does this list overwhelm us or seem impossible to obtain in today's society? We are not "of the world," but we and our children are most certainly "in the world."

Parents, the Experts in Everything!?

Parents are expected to provide physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual support to their offspring through many years of loving care and nurture. They are also expected to fulfill many-faceted marital obligations. Most important of all, we have made a life-and-death covenant with the Lord to sacrifice our personal desires to fulfill his will. Being the best parent we know how to be and being the best spouse we know how to be is counted by our God as a part of the stewardship he includes in our consecration to him.

As parents, our primary responsibilities during our children's developmental years are the provision of the basic necessities of life -- food, shelter, clothing, and protection from harm. This is scriptural: "If any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel" (1 Tim. 5:8). When we are cooking nourishing meals for our child, cleaning his house, washing his clothing, acting on our concern for him in this evil world we are not just being a conscientious parent (which all should be as long as they have brought a new life into the world); we are also fulfilling God's will in our consecrated lives.

We are not commanded to serve our child caviar, house him in a palace, buy him the most expensive designer jeans, or create a bubble around him to protect him; we are admonished to provide a healthy environment for him.

Love, Love, Love

Love and affection are vital in stimulating children to learn and grow as human beings-love and affection and communicating these feelings by displaying our sincere emotions for them. Love is of God . . . every one that loveth is of God, and knoweth God . . . God is love . . . he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:7, 16).

We cherish the tender story of Jesus, our example: And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not . . . Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them (Mark 10:13-16).

Children Learn What They Live

Because parents are their children's first teachers, they play a major role in the socialization process, enabling their children to become independent members of society.

"If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with jealousy, he learns what envy is.

If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition, he learns that it is good to have a goal.

If a child lives with sharing, he learns about generosity.

If a child lives with honesty and fairness, he learns what truth and justice are.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and in those about him.

If a child lives with friendliness, he learns that the world is a nice place to live.

If you live with serenity, your child will live with peace of mind."

 

(Dorothy Law Nolte).

Parents teach their children to speak the language, to dress themselves, and to perform basic life skill activities.

"Most of what I really need to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School. These are the things I learned:

`Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life-learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder."' (Robert Fulghum)

Laying the Foundation

Parents give children opportunities to display proper etiquette and manners: A soft answer turns away wrath. (Prov. 15:1) Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted ox and hatred with it (v. 17). Be gentle (James 3:17). Be kind (Eph. 4:32). Dress modestly (1 Tim. 2:9). Be strong and of good courage (Deut. 31:6).

Parents foster independence and self-reliance by teaching their children how to solve problems and make wise use of their time: Wealth not earned but won unjustly will dwindle away; but he who gathers little by little will increase (Prov. 13:11). Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death (Prov. 10:2).

Parents give guidance related to educational and vocational choices and assist their children in understanding the value of money: Poverty and shame shall be to him who refuses instruction: but he who heeds reproof shall be honored. (Prov. 13:18). He who is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live (Prov. 15:27).

Wise nurturers give their children both "roots" and "wings."

Parents/Teachers

According to a Jewish guide for parents, the Hebrew word for parents (horim) and the Hebrew word for teachers (morim) are so similar they sound alike. Both words mean to instruct, to teach. Christian believers emulate this Judaic heritage, which has traditionally linked the roles of parents and teachers, for in fact the parent is the principal teacher of his children.

It is primarily the responsibility of the Christian parent to provide spiritual guidance and character development-ethical values, morals--for their children.

You must love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Take to heart these words with which 1 charge you this day, Impress them upon your children. Recite them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up.-Deuteronomy 6:5-7, Torah, Jewish Pub. [Author's emphasis].

I [Jehovah] have singled him [Abraham] out, that he may instruct his children and his posterity to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is just and right, in order that the Lord may bring about for Abraham what he has promised him [to bless all the nations of the earth].Genesis 18:19, Torah

Correction/Encouragement

Sometimes it is necessary to correct or chastise errant children, but such discipline must convey a message of love. Bear in mind that the LORD your God disciplines you just as a man disciplines his son (Dent. 8:5, Torah). Whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth (Prov. 3:12).

Various proverbs suggest that children benefit from being chastened, sometimes with a rod; but at a time when (more than ever before). children suffer physical abuse at the hand of adults in authority, we temper this advice with Proverbs 17:10: A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. It is possible that constant physical punishment may actually diminish its long-term effectiveness and become a stumbling block to more constructive discipline.

In Ephesians 6:4, Paul emphasizes, Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. In Colossians 3:21, the Apostle reiterates, Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

It is advantageous to instill the concept of human dignity into children: When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. (Gen. 5:1, Torah). The word "likeness" or "image" implies a spiritual relationship, not a physical one. Man possesses qualities that set him aside from the rest of the animal kingdom, being capable of reasoning and feeling compassion -- dimensions that are not limited by the senses. Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands (Heb. 2:7).

A moderate amount of self-esteem is necessary in any person, even a young one: Love thy neighbor as thyself (Matt. 19:19 and 22:39; Mark 12:31; Rom. 13:9; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8). We must first love (respect) ourselves-develop a healthy self-concept-so that we can adequately direct our love toward others.

Learning by Imitating

Children are charming imitators. Charming and frighteningly accurate. Raise your voice; they raise theirs. Whine; they whine. Complain, criticize; you are shocked to hear yourself in what they say.

If we are their closest models, it behooves us to develop the fruits of the spirit which we desire in them: Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal. 5:22, 23).

"That's Not Fair!"

Children have a keen sense of fairness; they love the concept of Leviticus 19:15 (Torah): You shall not render an unfair decision: do not favor the poor or show deference to the rich; judge your neighbor fairly.. They quickly remind us if we are not consistent. Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you" (Deut. 16:20, Torah).

They will see the justice of Honor your father and your mother, and they soon become aware of the promises: That you may long endure on the land which the LORD Your God is giving you (Exod. 20:12; see also Eph. 6:2).

Obedience

Children love the hymn, "Trust and Obey." The wonderful story of Samuel echoes the response every child of God must continually answer to the Lord, Speak; for thy servant heareth, and even Eli's humble acquiescence, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good. Finally, To obey is better than sacrifice (1 Sam. 3:10, 18; 15:22).

The Lord does not suggest; the Lord commands: He who repudiates (reviles) his father or his mother shall be put to death (Exod. 21:17, Torah).

Because Hezekiah did not render again according to the benefit done unto him, there was wrath upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem when his son, Manasseh, reigned. Generations to come suffer from our neglect to obey God's will.

Practical Guidelines

The children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children (2 Cor. 12:14). How practical scripture is! It not only lays out the divine plan for all mankind but personal admonitions toward success in the way toward God.

The instructions of the Bible do not end with childhood, any more than its principles only apply to the new creation. The laws of God are unending. They guide us in every stage of our lives.

A practical expectation for later years is found in I Timothy 5:4: Requite (give back to or rec­ompense in a good sense) your parents: for that is good and ac­ceptable before God. As parents age, adult children may find them­selves in the position of providing the necessities of life for the par­ents.

Helping a Child Helps the World

"He who helps a child helps hu­manity with an immediateness which no other help given to hu­man creature in any other stage of human life can possibly give again" (Phillips Brooks).

We pray fervently to the Lord for help. Surely he is our primary guide. But we remember the parents who asked for guidance from God, and then refused the help proffered by their neighbors, by the schools, by the doctor, and by their relatives. Perhaps the Lord was using these tangible methods to help the frantic parents. He does not always reveal himself in a miraculous vision; we to child care. do not always hear his voice in the thunder. Consider what helps are available. If they are in harmony with God's methods, avail yourself of them!

We are not entirely responsible for our child's strengths and weak­nesses. The same boiling water that softens a carrot hardens an egg. Chil­dren from the same parents, raised in the same environment, do not always react the same way. Friends, teach­ers, even television characters often influence our children. Parenting is a major challenge in this end of the twentieth century.

Today's Greater Need For Help

For hundreds of years parenting was governed by trial and error or by traditional methods--that is, parents reared their offspring in a manner similar to the way their parents had treated them. There was no formal training for parenting; there were no courses to outline the step-by-step progression of child development or to list suggestions and techniques for disciplining children.

Several factors may have con­tributed to the rapid growth in par­ent education during the 1900's. A major cause has been the diversifi­cation of the "traditional American family." With so many family pat­terns today-single parents and ex­tended families-parents face more challenges than ever before. Thus, these new family patterns and prob­lems often require child-raising skills that tradition may not have needed to provide. In addition, discoveries in psychology and other sciences may have stimulated an interest in applying new knowledge

There is Help

During the late 1800's and early 1900's, a number of organizations were established to address the growing concern related to parent­ing issues. These groups included what is now the Parent Teacher Association and the Society for the Study of Child-Nature.

In 1912, the United States gov­ernment began to actively help par­ents when it established a federal agency called the Children's Bu­reau, which distributed information about child development and pub­lished many popular pamphlets.

In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act set up what is now the Cooperative Extension System to provide advice about child care. Then in the 1920's, the scientific study of child development was begun. Many uni­versities established child study centers where researchers investi­gated the growth and development of children, applying their findings to educational methods.

Since the 1960's, parent education has expanded greatly, due in part to government support-for example, Head Start, a federal project that was established to help low-income par­ents prepare their children for school.

We are God's stewards; our children are our stewardship. We are to do with our might what our hands find to do. We are to be dili­gent in whatsoever state we are. But what a comfort: After we have done our best, we can cast all our care upon God; for he cares for us-and for our children.-Deut. 11:19, 12:25, 28, 29:29; Eccl. 9:10; 1 Pet. 5:7.

Of Slaves and Masters -- Part One

"Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive." -- Titus 2:9-10 NIV

By David Rice

Secular employment constitutes the largest single mortgage of time and effort for many Christians. Therefore it will provide the background for much of the experience of life and test many features of our Christian character.

In both Ephesians 6:5-9 and Colossians 3:22-4:1, Paul gives advice to servants and to masters. Employees today are not servants and employers are not masters in the same way that society was organized when Paul gave this advice. Nevertheless, Paul's advice is founded on principles which do apply.

Employees

The two passages are very similar. We quote here the Ephesians passage, which is more complete, Paul's counsel to servants:

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be' bond or free.-Ephesians 6:5-8

Could we imagine a more wonderful approach to our secular responsibilities? Faithfulness to our duties is counted as faithfulness to the Lord! This is a precious prospect. The discharge of this mort gage-a necessary burden in any case-if done as to the Lord will bring favor and blessing from the Lord. Whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.

Do we wish to please the Lord with our conduct? Then we shall wish to please our employer. Do we wish to show the Lord that we are diligent, dependable, and loyal? Then, while we are required to serve an employer, the Lord offers to accept the spirit of that service as indicating the spirit of our service to the Lord himself.

Imagine for a moment that you need to take leave of your job for a pressing family obligation, and you will be away for two or three months. Most employers would find that an imposition; nevertheless many would, if possible, agree and even wish you well. But imagine the employer who offers to pay you for discharging your obligation and even promote you on your return according to how well you served that responsibility during your absence. I think all would like to work for an employer like that! In fact, all of the Lord's consecrated do so. The Lord is our master; and even if we are not engaged directly in his business while serving our temporal obligations, he offers to reward us for the service in accord with our diligence.

Perhaps we have a difficult, overbearing, selfish employer. These traits are frequent in the world, and it should not surprise us to find these problems in an employer. Paul's counsel does not apply to pleasant employers more than to unpleasant ones. In either case, our service is directed to the Lord but for the benefit of our employer. If our employer is a difficult one or our job an unpleasant one, we will have more opportunity for overcoming, perhaps for suffering unjustly, perhaps for showing grace under provocation, and certainly for showing that our loyalty is based on principle rather than on favorable circumstances.

However nothing in Paul's counsel tells us that we may not speak reasonably and kindly for our rights. Polite communications with our employers about problems, possible injustice, or excessive burdens is a wise policy and will be to the overall benefit of all. Harboring resentments and bearing unjust burdens without recourse is likely to engender bitterness, which is always an evil fruit. But even here we should be swift to hear, slow to speak (James 1:19). We as well as our employers are human. We should not expect our views always to prevail, even if we are actually correct.

Some Practical Considerations

Determine what your em­ployer considers a "job well done." Our view and his view may be different. But we are willing to serve the employer and therefore must respect his view. He may not always be right, but he is always the boss. We are not here speaking of matters of conscience. We can­not, for example, lie on our em­ployer's behalf because he consid­ers it part of our duty to him. Prin­ciple always comes first. If we sense an expectation which would violate our conscience, we must be pleasantly, politely firm in our po­sition. We ought to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29).

Use initiative. Common sense and employer feedback are useful gauges here. Few things are more helpful or more remarkable in an employee than spontaneous, thought­ful, perceptive application to a task not specifically required. Are there procedures or methods that clearly would be helpful and not disruptive to others which you can imple­ment? Is there a small service not normally obligatory, perhaps one which may be considered beneath your position, which time permits you to do? Would you do it if you were directly serving the Lord? Then do it while you are indirectly serving the Lord.

Remember that many things weigh upon an employer's mind which are not openly apparent. Keep in mind that his relationship to each employee may be slightly different than to you. Every inter­personal relationship is unique. Never give place to jealousy. If a favor is extended to others, be glad for them. If a kindness is extended to you, how would you wish your peers to react.

Employers

And ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.-Ephesians 6:9

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. -Colossians 4:1

Every position of authority brings a risk of abuse. If we are an employer, we have a responsibility for which to account. If it is exer­cised with justice and with fairness, even though with firmness, our characters will be enhanced and a proper sense of self respect in­creased. If it is exercised as a means of personal gratification, our characters will be weakened.

There is, of course, a motive for being an employer. In the present arrangement it is a means to an end. Those who are willing to work industriously and supervise the la­bors of others to further the enter­prise undertake that responsibility for the hope of a financial return in order to provide for themselves and their dependents. Christian employ­ers hope also to have some finan­cial gain to use for their greater service to the Lord. Often there are monetary risks and great labor ex­pended by the employer with the reasonable hope of gain in the fu­ture. But along the way one of the responsibilities gained in the proc­ess is toward those who labor in our employ. Any Christian person will surely have a great deal of concern for how they discharge that responsibility. It is not a responsi­bility taken from the motivation of charity, even though a successful employer may take some pleasure in providing gainful employment for many workers. Therefore, while we wish to exercise a spirit of char­ity and goodwill in all affairs of life, the fundamental concern of an employer is that he treat his em­ployees justly and fairly-the same qualities Paul emphasizes in his ad­vice.

Paul also reminds us that we are under a Master, perhaps implying two things: (1) We should follow the example of Christ as far as pos­sible; and (2) We may be judged by our Master to some extent upon how we exercise our authority over others.

Some Practical Considerations

Always retain a genuine concern for your employees.

Remember the 3:1 rule -- give at least three honest encouragements for every criticism.

Have a hearing ear. If a deci­sion must be made which is dis­agreeable to others, explain your reasons kindly and respectfully.

An employer or supervisor will encounter stress. These stresses differ when one is respon­sible for another's productivity. These stresses may point to areas of our character which need special work.

Long hours. Employer or busi­ness responsibilities can demand our mental attention and interest af­ter normal working hours more than, for example, working for hourly remuneration. Be alert to this, and establish boundaries for yourself.

Finally, to paraphrase Luke 6:31, Do unto your employees as you would have them do unto you if they were your employer.

Of Slaves and Masters -- Part Two

Servants, be subject to your masters with fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. -- 1 Peter 2:18

By Peter Karavas

Employee Emotions

"My employer is not fair nor understanding." "He doesn't pay me what I'm worth." "I'm tired of office politics." "My boss expects too much overtime." "I'm stuck in a rut." Ever had any of these thoughts? Just what should be our consecrated attitude toward our boss and work? Can we wholeheartedly serve a boss who does not appreciate us? How far can we allow our boss to push the limits of our honesty? Where do we draw the line between our time and energy commitments towards work versus towards our consecration and family?

"I Try To Love You Boss, But It's Not Easy"

What does God teach our attitude towards our boss should be? We suggest that many of the scriptures referring to master and servant relationships can and do apply.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free-Ephesians 6:5-8, NIV

"Obey my boss just as I would Christ!? Not just to win his favor but from my heart?"

In many cases this is not an easy task to accomplish. "Can the Lord really want me to take this approach with a boss who is unfair? " Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.-1 Peter 2:18 [Author's emphasis].

"So am I trapped forever working for a horrible boss?" Not necessarily. As long as you choose to stay at your job remain faithful to your harsh boss. Nobody is forcing you to stay though. You can look for another job with a better boss elsewhere. Some people will continue in their jobs for years working for an unfair and abusive boss. If this is you, you might ask yourself, "Why do I allow myself to be abused by my boss daily and why do I keep going back for more?" Often the motivations for staying are fear and insecurity. The fear of facing another boss and the insecurity of not succeeding at a new job. These fears are generally ungrounded. As we will later see, hard work, diligence and good skills will bring success at our job.

"But I've prayed about it, and God hasn't shown me a clear sign to leave. Maybe it's his will that I stay." God will not always give a clear sign about what we should do. For example, let us take our children. As they mature, we give less guidance to every detail of their lives and trust them with more responsibilities. God does the same with us. As we mature in the consecrated way, he trusts that we will more accurately apply biblical principles to our circumstances. Having signs to point the direction in which we should go would make decision making much easier, but studying the scriptures to learn God's principles is a more difficult yet more reliable way of learning God's will.

Another approach is to kindly but firmly confront a harsh boss in the spirit of Matthew 18 to discuss our work performance and his reaction. This meeting may help us decide whether it is worth staying longer or help us to see that the situation is hopeless and it is time to take courage and move on to a new job.

I Am Always Honest

Is it naive to think that in today's work environment I can be totally honest?

What do I do when the boss says, "If anyone calls, tell them I'm out of the office today," when I know full well he is really in all day?

Should I say no when the boss tells me to "adjust the numbers so that the pro forma shows a 12% rate of return," when I know the project will really only yield a 5% return at best? The scriptures are straightforward in their testimony on this topic.

Speak the truth, each one of you with his neighbor (Eph. 4:25 NASV;) Do not lie to one another (Col. 3: 9 NASV; ) Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment (Prov. 12:19 NASV ).

One might challenge, "Was David not justified in deceiving Ahimelech the High Priest while fleeing for his life from Saul, or when he feigned madness to save his life from Achish, king of Gath" (1 Sam. 21)?

David wrote two Psalms in re­sponse to these two experiences. In Psalm 52, David expresses his an­guish over his deception which re­sulted in the death of Ahimelech the High Priest: Your tongue de­vises destruction, Like a sharp ra­zor, O worker of deceit. Behold the man who would not make God his refuge, But trusted in the abun­dance of his riches, And was strong in his evil desire (vs. 2, 7).

In Psalm 34, David repents from his deception of King Achish, which was based on fear, not trust­ing in the Lord's protection: I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit (vs. 4, 13).

If David acknowledged the error of deceit even though in danger of death, can we practice a lower standard when all that is at risk is our job?

Letting our boss know our feel­ings up front will discourage him from attempting to compromise our high moral standards. This may cause some short term discomfort, but in the long run most bosses will respect and trust us more for it.

Office Politics

"I think people see `target' writ­ten on my forehead." "Other em­ployees work against me for their own advantage and to make me look bad in the eyes of the boss."

Honestly defending oneself to the boss against false accusations may at times be both wise and appropriate. Paul defended himself to the Roman centurion (Acts 22:25) and to Governor Felix (Acts 24) from the Jews who were accus­ing him.

Whether we may choose to re­spond or not, we do well not to be filled with deep worry and anxious care, remembering that all is in the Lord's hands. None can harm us without his permission.

For 1 have heard the slander of many, Terror is on every side; While they took counsel together against me, They schemed to take away my life. But as for me, 1 trust in Thee, O Lord, I say, 'Thou art my God.' My times are in Thy hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.-Psalm 31:13-15 NASV

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy; No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I en­dure.-Psalm 101:5 NASV

This poor man cried and the Lord heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.-Psalm 34:6, 7 NASV

It's not unusual that the Lord's people would be spoken against, especially out of fear and jealousy. In our efforts to give our employer the very best we can, as unto the Lord, other employees may view us as competition and consequently as a threat to their own advancement within the company. But we are not to retaliate.

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. . . Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, " says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.-Romans. 12:17, 19-21

And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame-1 Peter 3:16

Those who speak evil of us falsely will eventually be found out and suffer the consequences of their actions. A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who tells lies will perish (Prov. 19:9). As long as we continue to work honestly and hard, most bosses will usually sooner or later see through the deceit of others and put their trust in a faithful worker.

Good Attitude? High Integrity? No Problem! . . . Well?

"When I work hard I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels. My boss won't reward me. It won't get me anywhere."

Bosses may not always provide much feedback on our perform­ance, but often they see much more than they let us know. Hard work, good skills and attitude are vital factors in how the boss evaluates us. Do not believe it if you think they do not know when employees take an extra long lunch break or spend business time socializing.

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men (Prov. 10:4; 12:24 22:29 NIV ).

Stealing anything from our em­ployer--from pencils to time--­brings shame, rather than a witness, to the name of Christ.

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters . . . not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive (Thus 2:9, 10 NIV ). It is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy (1 Cor. 4:2 NASV ).

As ambassadors for Christ we must exercise the utmost integrity and the highest practice of Christian principles at work. Can we pass the test of Daniel? Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.-Daniel 6:4 NASV

Looking at employment from the employees point of view is interesting. But what about the employers point of view?

Employer Emotions

"Who can blame me for getting so angry at such a bad employee?"

No matter how bad we may feel an employee is, we are not to temporarily put aside the Christian graces when dealing with him: Do not threaten them (your servant) (Eph. 6:9 NIV); You shall not rule over him (your servant) with severity (Lev. 25:43 NASV);. You shall not oppress a hired servant (Dent. 24:14 NASV)

Compensation should be fair and prompt. We are not to make our employees feel like we're doing them a favor by giving them a paycheck. They have worked hard for their wages; if we do not think so perhaps we should consider replacing an employee. But before doing so, let us ask ourselves, "Am I accurately assessing the scope of my employee's responsibilities, his skills, and the effort he's putting forth? Does it reflect badly on my performance as a manager? For the same wages could I acquire a better employee?"

The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim. 5:18); The wages of a hired man are not to remain with you all night until morning (Lev. 19:13); Now to the one who works, his wage is not reckoned as a favor, but as what is due (Rom. 4:4).

Encouragement can go a long way with an employee. He needs to know that we are interested in him, that we have noticed and appreciated his successes and that we are not unreasonable or unfair in our approach to his failures. An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up (Prov. 12:25 NIV ); The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer spurs on him who strikes with the anvil. He says, "It is good" (Isa. 41: 7 NIV) ).

A wise employer will not surround himself with lazy employees. They will be the death of his business. Lazy employees tend to be very unproductive and to make unreasonable excuses for not getting the work done quickly and correctly. The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside; I shall be slain in the streets!" (Prov. 22:13); I passed by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense; And behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles, Its surface was covered with nettles, And its stone wall was broken down. Prov. 24:30, 31).

Final Words

Christian principles are not like a light switch that turns on and off depending on where we are and who we're with. The high moral standards of our consecration are to be applied across the board, not just at the ecclesia but at home, among friends, among strangers, and at work. Applying these standards will relieve work related stress and anxiety, because by practicing them we are placing our faith and trust in God. In his hands, and under his protection, we know we have nothing to fear.

Stewardship

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them saying, the ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully and he thought within himself, saying, what shall I do, because 1 have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, this will I do, I will pull down my barns and build greater and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years: take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry. But God said unto him, thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?-Luke 12:15-20

By Leonard Griehs

Wealth, historically has been associated with ownership. In biblical times, land, slaves, and animals constituted owner­ship. Today wealth is often defined in terms of money, so the two terms may now be used inter­changeably.

The man in this text is not con­demned because he is rich--he had wealth before his superabundant crop. It was his attitude toward his wealth that caused concern. The overabundance was hoarded rather than used in the service of his faith. An abundance of, or lack of, money does not affect our relation­ship with God. As in the parable, it is our attitude about it that affects our relationship. In Hebrews 11 the author lists the heroes of faith who were deemed worthy to gain God's greatest earthly reward-perfect human life. We note that some, such as David, had much in terms of worldly possessions while others had nothing. Yet all are said to be rewarded the same for their faith. Their victory came from dedicating themselves and their possessions to the service of their faith.

Proper Attitude Important

Matthew 19:16-22 teaches an important lesson about money. Here Jesus shows that it is not the amount of money possessed but our attitude about it that either blesses or con­demns us. The rich young man appeared to have the proper spirit of the law-he was ac­countable and tried to conduct his affairs un­der the precepts of the law. He answered af­firmatively to each of Jesus' questions. How­ever Jesus saw beyond his pretenses and de­tected a selfish attitude. When the young man asked, "What lack I yet?" Jesus was quick to show him that his attitude about what he owned prevented him from being free to enjoy God's blessings. When told he must abandon his earthly wealth, the young man went away "sorrowful, because he had great possessions." Had the young man possessed a better attitude he might have questioned Jesus to un­derstand why it was necessary to give up his possessions.

Jesus might have told the young man that what he had must now be used for the service of God. If he turned over his possessions to God and became a steward of the prop­erty-not merely to keep it but to oversee its wise use-his wealth might be a source of support for the cause. He could thus be a bless­ing, and his particular talent for managing financial resources could be used of the Lord. However the young man's fear of losing his pos­sessions outweighed his faith. Jesus challenged him, and the young man's attitude about his posses­sions prevented his entering into the joys of discipleship. Jesus laid down a related principle in the par­able of the talents given in Mat­thew 25:14-30. God gives each of his people certain abilities or tal­ents in a variety of forms in order to accomplish his work. He then expects each to use their abilities to develop and manage these talents as stewards. The one that hoarded his talent for fear of losing it had the same attitude as the landowner and the rich young ruler. We are to use our talents to produce an in­crease for God. That is just as true in our stewardship over his finan­cial resources.

Focus on Money Creates Bondage

Many suffer mental anguish over money-either too little (wor­rying about how and whether they can get it) or too much (worrying about losing it). In Proverbs 30:7-9 Solomon makes a helpful observa­tion:

Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before 1 die: remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty or riches; feed me with food convenient for me, lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest 1 be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Too much money and too little money both create dangerous temptations. The temptation of poverty is to do something dishonest in order to gain money; the danger of too much money is to be content without God.

An abundance of the good things of the present life can supplant our dependence upon God. Financial gain can become our purpose above the pursuit of spiritual treasures. However, Solomon also says that having nothing can result in covetousness which makes us just as guilty because our desire takes precedence over our service to God. This can result in neglect to provide adequately for loved ones.

Solomon urges a lifestyle which results in contentment; an attitude which places God first. Without this we become slaves to money with or without financial resources.

The Bondage of Debt

In Matthew 5:25, 26 Jesus shows how a lack of self-discipline can result in another kind of slavery to money-through the bondage of debt. This passage refers to borrowing beyond the capacity to repay. In biblical days, if a man could not pay his debts he was thrown into a debtor's prison and whatever he owned became the possession of his lender, including the debtor's family. Jesus points out the danger of violating this principle of borrowing beyond the capacity to repay-one may lose much more than was borrowed in order to repay his debt. This can result in both financial and mental jeopardy.

Proverbs 17:18 expands on this principle: A man lacking in sense pledges and becomes surety in the presence of his neighbor. Surety refers to borrowing without an underlying asset of comparable value or a sure means to repay an unsecured obligation. It also can refer to guaranteeing the obligation of another. When we ignore this principle we subject ourselves to financial bondage. Let us look at an example, remembering that God gave us this principle to help us avoid subjecting ourselves to a situation where money becomes the means for distracting us away from his service.

Suppose a car you are buying costs $10,000. You make a $2,000 down payment and borrow $8,000, pledging the car as collateral and guaranteeing to pay back the note over five years. You have become "surety," because if you are not able to make payment and the car is repossessed it may be sold at a loss and you will be required to make up the difference between the loan value and the sales price. If you do not pay, you would be subject to judgment in court. If you work, your wages could be garnisheed. However if you do not guarantee the contract beyond the value of the car you would not get the car either! No lender would make a loan under those conditions. Does that mean that you must pay cash to avoid violating God's principle about surety? Not if you make a substantially higher down payment! If you put down more money and the car became total collateral, it would more than cover the loan value for the life of the loan. You would be released from the note free and clear. You would not be subject to financial bondage created through unforeseen circumstances. This is a wise principle given by God for everyone. By following it no one would be subject to financial bondage!

When purchasing a house this principle is magnified. A sufficiently high down payment can prevent surety even if a substantial drop in the value of the property occurs. This may require a longer period of saving than many desire, but that is exercising self-discipline in order to live by God's principles.

When we take upon ourselves the financial burdens of another through guaranteeing their borrowing, we have also gone "surety" and subject ourselves to the same worry and trouble that we would have ourselves if we were in the same situation.

Principles for Financial Stewardship

If God chooses to make us a steward over financial resources, we will be faced with many decisions which affect the growth or shrinkage of those resources. By exercising sound principles given to us in God's Word we can keep the proper attitude and be like those faithful stewards endowed with the talents in the