God forgives, absolves, and overcomes every inability. No sheep will ever be lost in the wilderness because it could not return to the fold. If a sheep from Christ’s flock is trapped in a pit too deep to crawl out of or is too far from home for its cries to be heard, God will be faithful to create any circumstance necessary to rescue that lost one.

The finished work of Jesus Christ is a sure guarantee that every lost, trapped, or desperate sheep will be able to return home.

On the other hand, God cannot and will not overlook the unwillingness of a sheep to come when the shepherd calls. Every sheep that hears the voice crying out for it to return, yet refuses to start walking, will be left in the wilderness.  What the voice of the unwilling sheep says to God is, “No, I won’t!”

Do you really think He will respond, “Oh, never mind, I’ll come out and drag you in?”  God is an almighty God, a Holy God, and the only God. God will not go out to bring in any rebellious sheep that stomps its little hoof and challenges Him to, “Make me!”

People believe they are entitled to food, shelter, entertainment, and education for no other reason than that they are human. They teach that there is nothing needed to be saved other being a human “made in the image of God.” People of faith add one more item to that long list of entitlements – salvation.

3 Types of Unmerited Blessings

There are three ways to receive unmerited blessing,

1. as a gift of grace
2. as a gift of love, or
3. as a gift of charity.

This is true whether the blessing in question is granted to man by God or from one human (or organization) to another. “Entitlements” have become major players in our nation as government programs.  Benefits given to those who have done nothing to deserve them are unmerited. The very term “entitlement” is the work of the Enemy and has corrupted the government, the people, and the church of Jesus Christ.

The only blessings to which we are entitled are those promised by God Himself. The Pilgrims didn’t invent the requirement that one must work in order to eat. It isn’t some political philosophy or discrimination that denies unearned blessing — it is the Word of God. [2 Thessalonians 3:10]

If all that is needed to receive God’s grace and promise of eternal life is being human then the remainder of the Bible is a lie. Only human arrogance assumes such a lofty place in God’s estimation. And, like most assumptions, it is wrong. Humanists teach that men and women are equal to God. Satan is working hard to sell the message that God needs to be brought down to mortal level.

The message of the Bible is that we may one day be elevated to God’s presence through the sacrifice of Jesus which offers unmerited grace to believers. That elevation will only be complete in a glorified and immortal body and not the one you’re walking around in today.

For proof that God can create any circumstance necessary to return a lost sheep to the fold, read about the truth of God’s promises in He Came Looking for Me, a true story of hope and redemption told by both the horse and human who lived it. 

Find it on Amazon.com

Find it at the Ministry store

Fiscal Simplicity

The movie, Being There, is the story of how the simplicity of a gardener schooled a bunch of wealthy business men with his clear comments about planting, pruning, reaping, watering, and weeding. The gardener was literally talking about the garden, but the wise thought he was someone else and assumed he spoke by analogy. Christians don’t have to seek any new source for truth about our fiscal realities - we have God’s Word to guide us.

Jesus speaks to the issue of how you spend what you earn as well as honoring the commitments you make. The decision about how you spend, save, or give away what is yours is not subject to the opinion or doctrine of others. In this day it is important that you know why you believe what you believe.

Here is a concise review of relevant scriptures. While not exhaustive, this brief overview paints a clear and consistent picture. Compare the message of the Bible to what you hear in the media then decide which you will follow.

Jesus Speaks about Taxes

As citizens of a nation or community Christians are required to pay legal taxes. Jesus spoke to this issue in both Matthew 22:17-21 and Matthew 17:24-27.

The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”

When the matter of the Capernaum temple tax came up Jesus reminded Peter that taxes are required of strangers and not “sons”. He then instructed Peter to go catch the first fish in the sea and, “when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Taxes are a commitment agreed to under the terms of citizenship. The political system establishes what is a legal tax. If you wish to change the tax, change the politicians. Do not, however, buy into the rhetoric about what kind of and how much tax Jesus would require. Any opinion of this sort is anti-scriptural and intended to manipulate the audience.

Jesus Speaks About Employment Contracts

Jesus addresses terms of employment and compensation in Matthew 20:13-15. When vineyard workers complained that they did not get their fair share compared to what others received Jesus reminded them of the contract they agreed to.

“Friends, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?”

There is no scriptural support for paying more than what was agreed to or for working less than what was agreed to. The worker did not have to work in the vineyard and has no basis for crying foul when paid what he willingly agreed to.

Jesus Speaks to the Right to Spend What is Yours

In the parable of Matthew 20:10-14 here is what the vineyard owner responded to the worker who complained about what he was given:

Jesus said, “Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?”

Charity is a free gift given out of love, not law or guilt. Entitlements are not charity. Entitlements are 100% politics. Just because some good things come from entitlements, one could argue that more suffer from them than benefit. Supporting the able-bodied who will not work is anti-biblical not an example of Jesus’ teaching.

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat”. – 2 Thessalonians 3:10

So what does the Bible say about charity?

The Bible Speaks to Charity

Entitlements are not charity. But how is the word used in scripture?  1 Timothy 1:5 illustrates the Biblical definition of “charity.” Here are two translations. In one the word used is “love” and in the other, “charity.”

1 Timothy 1:5:

“Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:” -  (King James)

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,” -  (New King James)

Charity and love are obviously so closely related in definition that the original word may be translated as one or the other. Entitlements are politics; charity is love.

The Bible Limits on Entitlement

Read what 1 Timothy chapter 5 says on the topic of who is a real widow that may properly be supported by the church or society.

 ³ Honor widows who are really widows. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.

⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. ⁹ Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number,

¹¹ But refuse the younger widows

¹⁶ If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

These verses tell us that the responsibility of caring for family belongs within the immediate family. If no family members are willing then the church may step in to provide for those who cannot provide for themselves. The operative word is CANNOT, not those who don’t want to.

There never has been enough to care for everyone who would like to be cared for. Never has been and never will be. God’s Word addresses the issue and is pretty clear. You help those who are helpless lest all be spent on those who are able but unwilling to provide for themselves. As for those who choose not to support their own, verse 8 tells us they are worse than unbelievers.

Old Testament Entitlements

Jesus told us the poor would always be with us. There were entitlements in the Old Testament. The Jewish law included this limitation to farmers:

‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God.’” Leviticus 23:22

Ruth encountered Boaz while gleaning in his field. Ruth was a widow but young and able-bodied. The error of a society that ignores God’s Word idolizes entitlements. The law in Leviticus required that the means for the poor and widowed to gather food be available.

Entitlements in 2012 require the farmer to reap, glean, and clean the corners of his fields, and to package and provide home delivery to those on the dole at his own expense. There are some who believe that the “fair share” of the entitled must cater to their preferences lest their dignity suffer. If the poor or widowed doesn’t want to grind and bake the grain then the farmer is required to provide something more to their taste.

Christians Will Be Known By their Love – Charity

Christians are to be known by their love (and charity) for one another. Do you care for those in your immediate family? Do you know any Christian who does not care for his or her minor children? For elderly parents or grandparents?

There is no issue or concern that God somehow overlooked or forgot. His Word is open to you in the Bible and through relationship with Jesus Christ. Even on issues of employment contracts, taxes, entitlements, and charity – God speaks.