30/10/2022 - DO NOT DESPISE THE CHURCH OF GOD

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What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. 1 Corinthians 11.22

One of Satan’s strategies to lead Christians away from the Lord is to make them despise the work of God. Now, they were saved because someone surrendered to the Most High in prayer and humiliation, seeking the power to preach the Word, so that they understood the divine plan. Then, reached by grace, they converted and left the evil way. However, many have not awakened to the need to watch over the church.

We live in a time of financial opportunities and the news about the prosperity of some leads many Christians, who should give the best example to this corrupted society, to let the thorns (fascination with riches, cares of life, and ambition for other things) rule their hearts (Mark 4.19). Where do these like the Savior think they will go? Do not love the world or what is in it is the warning (1 John 2.15).

Ministries with resources can never shame the person who has nothing. Such person is just as much a part of the Body of Christ as they are. May this sin never dominate the hearts of those from whom much will be asked of them: But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more (Luke 12.48).

The greedy should eat from their houses and not – from the house of the Lord. It’s not good to get involved in the faith work of those who have less, for they too will be rewarded for the application of the little they have received (Matthew 25.22,23). David’s mistake was to put his eye on the little lamb that was the joy of the one who owned it. Now, as king, he could lawfully have whatever he wanted, as was accepted in those days (2 Samuel 11). His penalty was decreed, but since God is merciful, He helped him (Psalm 32 and 51).

The sentence David received was harsh, like all condemnation for evil deeds. Why would anyone drink fire in someone else’s bosom, when God has given him a family to take care of? (Proverbs 6.24-35). Now, the new and provocative brings Satan’s cunning, and it will certainly be harmful to let passion rule your heart. Every saved person is a member of the Church of Christ and as such must behave, not to leave the hiding place of the Most High, where they have His protection (Psalm 91).

It doesn’t matter how much you have been used by God. Remember how much you have sought the Lord’s help in the past. The biblical counsel is not to give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27), but we have not seen this happen. Ask the Lord to search your heart and show you what you need to repent of (Psalm 139.23,24). The evil work will only be undone if there is sincere repentance. Don’t destroy yourself by imitating the lost. Return as the prodigal son did (Luke 15:11-24).

The Lord is prepared to praise him on the great Day: His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ (Matthew 25.21). Don’t spoil your future!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares