We Give...But Yet We've Lost. What's Up With This? (Part 2)

We have consistently paid our tithes and given considerably large offerings over the years.  We recently lost our home to foreclosure and my husband lost his job.  Can you help me understand the apparent contradiction in what we were taught?

If you missed Part 1 of this answer, please go back and read it as a background for my continuing response.

I believe we should give generously and cheerfully.  I believe we should give not because we have to, but because we love Christ!  Attitude when we give is always more important than the amount we give.  Obedience always follows love!  Simply stated, I believe that God honors giving.  He gives us resources to use and invest for Him.  Paul uses the illustration of seeds to explain that the resources God gives us are not to be hidden, foolishly devoured or thrown away, but cultivated in order to produce more crops.  When we invest what God has given us in His work, He will provide us with even more to give.  We all understand that we won't reap if we don't sow.  If we plow and don't plant, we won't reap!

However, along with finances, Paul emphasizes spiritual rewards for those who give generously to God's work.  We should not expect to become wealthy through giving.  Those who receive our gifts will be helped, will praise God, and will pray for us.  As we bless others, we are blessed!

Now, back to the foreclosure and unemployment.  How do we incorporate these realities into the before-mentioned verses of Scripture?  I believe that giving to God does place a protective bond around our lives.  However, we live in a world where inequities abound. Many things that happen to us in life are unfair.  The important thing, and I believe the overriding principle for believers to remember, is that giving to God assures that we will not be "devoured."

People of all ages, races and descriptions suffer loss of properties and things every day.  But God still causes us to triumph!  Obviously, losing a house or a job is a very heart-rending, difficult thing.  However, there are worse things that can happen to a believer.  During times of loss, I believe we have to look to God for a deeper interpretation of the facts, and for His grace, which sustains us even in the darkest of times.  If we compare our plight to other believers, we may very well become discouraged and bitter.  Asking "why" during times of loss is perfectly okay; however, dwelling on the apparent inequity may cause us to stumble in our faith.  I believe in the sovereignty of God, which says to me, that no matter what may happen in my life, Jesus is still Lord and He will provide a way of escape.  

Sometimes the promises of God do seem to contradict our way of thinking.  For example, what about those heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11, who walked in faith and yet did not realize the outcome of promises received?  God's promises are unfailing, but His timing is often called into question by we who hold on indefinitely without seeing the results of promises given.  God sees the larger picture, so we are called upon to place our total trust and faith in His all-sustaining grace.

May I share a personal struggle I had when a promise in the Scriptures seemed to contradict reality?  Psalm 91:11 says, "For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways."  However, in March, 1995 my in-laws (pastors) were traveling in a foggy rain to visit a man in an Indianapolis hospital.  Just outside of Frankfort, another preacher ran a stop sign, resulting in the instant death of my father-in-law and five weeks later my mother-in-law.  That accident ushered in some of the most trying days of my life.

What happened seemed to directly contradict the promise of Psalm 91:11.  No, I did not get bitter, but I certainly questioned the Lord as to His ways.  Is the Bible true?  Yes indeed!  However, God's ways are above ours; His thoughts are higher than ours.  He's sovereign (all-powerful) and we're not.  He makes decisions based out of His sovereignty.  To us, these times may seem to contradict His Word.  Times of inexplicable loss have always plagued the hearts of men.  Ask Job!

You have lost your home and your job.  I don't know the reasons why, and I would not begin to wax eloquently or even to defend what may appear to be God's indifference.  What I do know, however, is that because you have been faithful with your tithes and offerings, God is obligated to fulfill His Word in your lives.  What appears to be so unfair and contradictory in the scheme of life and God's promises, I believe, will "produce for [you] an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

This is not "preacher talk," but if we obsess over the inequities and all the unfair things that happen to us in this life, we could very well jeopardize our faith and become cynical, even bitter.  Let me encourage you to look ahead and believe that God has placed a "replacement clause" in your life.  Job came out on top and you will, too!  Keep tithing.  Keep giving offerings as He directs.  And know that in the future you have every right to make heavenly withdrawals because you have made earthly deposits.  Let me know how God turns your circumstances around for your good and His glory.

Perhaps you have a question that you'd like for me to address? Send it to me by facebook or email it to: loomisrl@windstream.net.

What's So Wrong With Lust?

Why did Samson keep going back to Delilah when he had to know she was toying with his life?

Your question comes from the story of Samson, specifically recorded in Judges 16:4-22.  Samson is found consorting with a prostitute named Delilah.

Herein is a man who has spent his life toying with his call and the anointing that God placed upon him at an early age.  He loved playing "cat and mouse" with the Philistines, Israel's arch enemy.  He refused to take seriously the call of God upon his life and literally used the anointing to achieve his fleshly objectives.

Always remember.  The anointing, even if great upon one's life, does not necessarily constitute valid, solid ministry.  Godly character and integrity are the acid tests of any ministry.

Clearly, Samson had an on-going problem with sexual lust.  In Judges 16:1-3 we read of him spending the night with a prostitute in Gaza.  He was perhaps a sex addict, or at least flesh-ruled.  Your question, however, refers to his tryst with Delilah.

Lust reduced the strong man of Israel to a weak buffoon.  Lust made him foolish, even stupid.  Lust clouded his righteous thought processes and most certainly, lust caused his ultimate downfall.  I think verse 21 summarizes the effects of sin in Samson's life:

"Then the Philistines captured Samson and tore out his eyes.  They took him down to Gaza, where they put bronze chains on him and made him grind in the prison."

Sin blinds.
Sin binds.
Sin grinds.

In Samson's case, sin blinded him.  His fleshly impulses (lust) stole his reasoning abilities.  He spurned the inner voice of conscience and returned to Delilah four times!  The fourth time brought his ruin.  I've seen many men fall prey to the stronghold of lust.  It is a captor and a killer!  Lust made a fool out of Samson and it cost him everything.

Perhaps you have a question that you'd like for me to address? Send it to me by facebook or email it to: loomisrl@windstream.net.

Why do I see my Pastor laughing with some people; then when I come around he gets serious?

Why do I see my Pastor laughing with some people; then when I come around he gets serious?

Questions so diverse continue to come in!  Where do I begin?  First, it seems from the tone of your question that your pastor has somewhat offended you.  This is never his or her intention with anyone.  I speak from 35 years in the pastoral ministry, so let me give you my perspective.

Pastors live in glass houses, and it's not an entirely comfortable place.  I must confess that I tire of people trying to fit me into their perceived modes, but I guess this is one of the occupational hazards of being a pastor.  My desire, which is the same for most pastors, is that people accept me for who I am, not what they think I should be.

Like you, I'm drawn to certain types of personalities and am somewhat uncomfortable with others.  This doesn't make me right or wrong; it's just the way it is.  You and I are comfortable with people who allow us to be ourselves--without reservation or qualification.  

As a pastor, I've had to learn "how" to talk with people.  In other words, I must learn how to best relate to peoples' expectations.  This is not always easy.  Some demand that I talk "church" or what I refer to as "Christianese."  They prefer that I play the pastor role.  And that's okay!  Others prefer that I hide my struggles and demonstrate a victorious demeanor, regardless of my present situation.  They even become upset when I show perceived spiritual flaws or weaknesses.  Still others prefer that I be "Pastor Roger." Only a few allow me to be "just plain Roger."  While I appreciate the honor and respect shown to me, I still long for people to love and accept me--warts and all.  And YOUR pastor wants this, too.  But perhaps, I dream the impossible dream.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 8:22-23, "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might win some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."  What's Paul's overriding principle?  He understood that people placed individual expectations on him, and he lived so as to affect as many people as possible for the gospel.  And I'm okay with this principle.

Let me describe the types of people that I'm uncomfortable with and then I'll close with those types that make me feel safe.  (You will find that your pastor can relate to what I'm about to say...and maybe YOU do, too!)

1.  The super-spiritual, always praising Jesus type--I love Jesus as much as the next guy, but I've never found it necessary to carry a big Bible, quote Scripture to everyone I meet and talk ONLY about the things of God.  These kinds of people unnerve me because I can't help but feel they're usually hiding something.  They over-compensate and get flaky.  I can't help but feel that Jesus laughed with His disciples while sitting around the campfire, and that He even wrestled in the dirt with impetuous Peter!  In other words, Jesus was relevant; He was real!

2.  The surprise attackers--These are the ones who approach me with a crooked smile and even a semi-kind demeanor, and then when they see that my guard is down, they stab me in the heart with a harsh, cruel comment--usually an unjust criticism.

3.  The shockers--These are the ones who love to employ shock value when in conversation.  They use inappropriate words or phrases that I'm very uncomfortable with. These kinds of people live "one the edge," and sometimes I wonder where their heart really is.  I don't feel we need to give people a reason to doubt our Christian authenticity.

4.  Carnal Christians--None of us talk, act and think like Jesus all the time, but we should make it our life's intention to hug up to the cross as closely as possible.  That's why these people make me uncomfortable.  When women say suggestive things or make inappropriate gestures around me, I want to be like Joseph and run!  Men, too, can be carnal, especially when they employ vulgar language and obviously try to compete with me for whatever reason.

5.  The blood suckers--These are high maintenance, low impact people who perpetually steal my time and energies, and give nothing in return but negative input.  Of course, I love these people, but I find that a "little goes a long way!"

6.  The "I love you, but..." people--Believe me, whatever follows "but" is seldom good.  When people begin their conversation with this phrase or "Can we talk?" it's usually not a good thing.  At such times I want to run for my life!

Now to the people to whom I love to talk:

1.  People who love me unconditionally and expect nothing but my love, transparency and "realness" in return.

2.  People who do not try to conform me into their image, but allow me to be who I am.

3.  People who understand that I'm a hopelessly flawed man, who's saved by the same grace they are, who struggles with daily life, and who just happens to be a pastor.

4.  People who know me and still accept my influence as their spiritual leader.

5.  People who do not demand perfection, and allow me to be the "work in progress" that I am.

Have I chased rabbits in answering your question?  Maybe your Pastor has placed you in one of the above negative categories?  Really think about it.  

And then, will you pray that God will help both your Pastor and me to walk "in Christ" and to be the unique people He's made us to be?

Do You Think Christians Should Drink Alcoholic Beverages?

Is this a set up? (LOL)

First, let me say right up front, not that it really matters, I don't drink alcoholic beverages.  However, I'm not ready to play "Holy Spirit" with anyone.  I can tell you, too, that we have people in our churches who drink wine, beer and I'm sure other alcoholic drinks.  And guess what?  I'm leaving them in God's hands!  It's my job to love people; it's the Holy Spirit's job to clean us up!  One acid test, however, is that if we as believers have to "hide" anything we're doing, it's probably not pleasing to the Lord.  Food for thought!

Let me be honest.  I can't drink alcohol, not because I'm a pastor, but because the Holy Spirit convicts me otherwise.  I definitely feel that if I drank alcoholic beverages, I might cause a weak believer or even a "pre-Christian" to stumble.  I never want to hurt my credibility and testimony.  Having said this, let me take you to several often-quoted Scriptures, and then I'll make further comments.

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise" (Proverbs 20:1).

"He came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine" (John 4:46).

"And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 4:18).

"No longer drink water exclusively, but us a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments" (1 Timothy 5:23).

"An overseer must...not (be) addicted to wine..." (1 Timothy 3:2-3).

Please note the following principles I gather from these (and other) Scriptures:

1. Drunkenness is absolutely forbidden by the Scriptures.
2. Jewish culture did not view wine like we do in our American culture.  Wine in the Bible was definitely a fermented beverage.  Too many verses, both in the Old and New Testaments affirm this fact.

A discussion about wine drinking cannot be separated from cultural norms.  The use of wine in Bible days was usually centered on festivities like weddings or used for medicinal purposes.  In my opinion, the question of American believers drinking alcoholic beverages must include a discussion of OUR culture.  Believers who use the argument that wine in Bible times was not fermented, need only look at key passages which refer to drunkenness.  I don't think you can build an anti-drinking argument on that basis alone.  

I look to another principle that I feel speaks more pointedly than even fermented vs. non-fermented arguments.  It is the principle Paul expounds in 1 Corinthians 8:9 and 12.  "But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak...and so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ."

You see, you may be able to drink and alcoholic beverage and not feel convicted, but if another believer (or unbeliever) sees you and it causes that person to stumble, then you probably need to leave it alone.  Your liberty may cause someone to lose faith, and you never want that to happen, do you?  I know for sure that if I drank in public (which I don't) and someone who knew me saw me guzzling a beer or whatever, I'm one-hundred-percent sure I would cause an offense or perhaps (worst case scenario) even cause someone to lose out with the Lord.  Like anything else, the drink itself is not the REAL issue; it's how the action negatively affects other people.

In our culture, drinking may be viewed by unbelievers as alright; however, in my experience, when unbelievers see Christians partaking of alcohol, it usually causes them to call into question the believer's walk with Christ.  If you were to travel in Europe and eat with believers, I promise you they would serve you wine with at least the evening meal.  In those cultures wine is treated like drinking water!  Drinking then would not be an issue to anyone!

The REAL issue is not, "Should I drink or not drink?"  The REAL issue is, "Is what I'm doing--whether it's drinking or whatever--going to cause anyone to question the validity of the gospel?"  You must answer that question for yourself!