GOVERNMENT: Servants of God?
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!
Are you for real?
The President? Senators? Representatives? Governors? Mayors? … God’s servants?
Sounds strange doesn’t it to think that a public official would add to their title, “Servant of God.” Especially in our culture that wants to eliminate referencing God in the public square, to state that governing officials are God’s Servants sounds almost as bad as fingernails on a chalk board…especially when those governing officials appear to do everything BUT serve the will of God.
But they ARE God’s Servants.
The term “servant” designates a relationship of authority. I could be Vice President and hold a lot of authority, but still “serve” the President whose authority supersedes mine. To be a “servant” is to indicate there is one who holds more authority than I and there is one to whom I am accountable.
Whether a public official realizes it or not, they do not have ultimate authority. God does. They may think they do and act like they do, but one day even they will have to bow the knee before Jesus and give account for how well they carried out the role of God’s servant to those whom they had authority over.
It makes sense. If every authority exists because God allows it to exist, every authority exists to serve at the will of God.
Consider these two references to Old Testament Kings…one good one and one bad one.
King David…servant of God: (David did recognize the LORD’s authority over him.)
1 Chronicles 17:23 “And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon…servant of God: (What??? God would use a heathen king to bring judgment on his people Israel.)
Jeremiah 25:9 I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy w them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin.
It ought not surprise us that God can and does use governing authorities to carry out his will for his people. He’s God and the ultimate ruler over all.
Romans 13:4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.
Governing officials serve God by brings good things to his people. What are the good things God blesses you with through our government? Government provides protection and safety through local police, state troopers, National Guard and our military forces. Government provides a system of travel and roads to give us freedom of movement to buy, sell, visit, and engage in life. Government allows our churches to be exempt from property and income taxes to allow more dollars to go toward Gospel ministry. Government provides schools to provide education for our children (not perfect, but good in many ways). What others would you add?
I agree, it’s strange to think of governing officials as God’s Servants…but they are, whether they realize it or not, there for your good.
Apply: What good things have your received from God through your governing officials?
Prayer: LORD, thank you for being the ultimate authority in faith and life. Lead all those in positions of authority to realize their authority comes from you and understand they are your servants there to bring good to people. AMEN.
GOVERNMENT: Established by God!
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!
Even the ungodly ones?
Established by God?
Yes.
Even the ungodly ones are established by God.
This line of reasoning is hard to swallow, but it comes from the Apostle Paul, who ministered under the reign Emperor Claudius and then was executed by Emperor Nero in AD 66. Claudius expelled the Christians from Rome and Nero became one of the greatest persecutors of Christians.
They too? Established by God?
Yes.
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 13:1 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
The statement speaks to the origin of authority in government and to the reality that there is a higher authority than the governing authorities. Paul knew this and God wants us to know this. Whether the governing authority recognizes or reveres God or not, he rules under the authority God has established.
Every ruler has a beginning and end to their reign. God doesn’t. His reign and authority last forever. Mary in her Magnificat reflected the fact that God is at work in bringing down rulers and raising them up.
Luke 1:52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
Jesus when questioned by Pilate reminded Pilate of where his power comes from, yet ironically submits to that power even though his power as God superseded that of Pilate.
John 19:9-11 “Where do you come from?” [Pilate] asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.
Governments and governing officials are not perfect and do not always acknowledge God as the source of their authority. However, it doesn’t change the fact that God is the one who allows governing authorities to exist and we are subject to these authorities.
Whether we agree with them or not, we live under the authority that God has allowed governing officials to have. As long as they do not demand we disobey God, we live as citizens of our nation, honoring God by honoring and falling under the authority they have been given.
It’s no wonder that Paul encouraged Timothy and us in 1 Timothy 2:2 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
The godly and ungodly governments, all established by God.
Apply: How does your interaction with governing authorities change when you realize that the authority they have has been entrusted to them by God?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for our government. As imperfect as it is, you have established it for our good. As we are subject to these officials, we do pray that they lead in such a way that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. AMEN
The Blessings of Generosity!
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 5 of 6: “The Impact of Generosity!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Impact of Generosity
What’s in it for me?
If we expend time energy and effort, we generally expect that we will receive something in return. If I pay money to a store, I leave with the product I want. Even if I give something away for “free,” I expect that I will receive a referral for business, or additional purchases as a result.
It’s hard to give freely without expecting something in return.
But that’s what generosity is. Generosity is giving of our time, energy, effort, and finances without EXPECTING something in return.
The amazing impact of God’s generosity, is he again promises blessings for those who are generous. Take a look.
- God promises blessing to the work that you do.
Deuteronomy 15:10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
2. Generosity sets an example for your children, who in turn will be a blessing to others.
Psalm 37:26 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
3. Goodness comes those who are generous and act with justice.
Psalm 112:5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
4. Generosity precedes prosperity.
Proverbs 11:25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
5. Blessing follows generosity
Proverbs 22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
One word of caution and clarification. Our sinful nature loves to take these passages and “make deals” with God. They sound like, “I will give more to your kingdom work Lord, but I expect to get a raise at work.” DO NOT program how God should repay your generosity. As soon as you do, it is no longer generosity driving your gift, but rather greed.
Generosity and how God blesses you through it are connected, but separate. Give generously because God has given generously to you. Period. If, when and how God chooses to bless you, receive it with thanks as another evidence that a gracious and loving God loves to be generous to his children.
Enjoy the generosity God has given you. Be generous in every situation. Enjoy the blessings God gives to those who live generously by faith in him.
Apply: What blessings have you received in connection to times where you have been generous?
PRAYER: Lord, again thank you for impacting my life with your generosity. Use me in every situation to impact others with the same generosity you have shown to me. AMEN.
The Barrier to Generosity!
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 5 of 6: “The Impact of Generosity!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Impact of Generosity
What would you say is the greatest barrier to generosity?
Is it lack of possessions? Is it the lack of opportunities to be generous?
Nope.
The greatest barrier to generosity is greed.
Generosity is more a condition of the heart than an activity of the hands. When our hearts are captivated by greed, our hands find it hard to give. When our hearts are captivated by the generosity we have received, our hands find it easy to give.
Greed, perhaps, sounds like a strong word. It’s hard to admit “I’m greedy.” However, as the Lord is apt to do to keep our hearts close to him, he points out some manifestations of greed as well as warns us of the consequences of the same.
- Greed leads to finding fulfillment in the things I have.
Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
- Greed leads to a heart of discontent.
1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
- Greed leads to ruin and destruction.
1 Timothy 6:9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
A heart captivated by greed, material wealth, possessions and the desire to GAIN more will have a hard time GIVING more.
The warnings are clear. A heart captivated by greed cannot also love God. So our loving and generous God calls us by the power of his Spirit to repent and turn away from greed.
Ephesians 5:3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.
Colossians 3:5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
So with God’s help, let’s walk in step with the Spirit and have our heart filled with and driven by the generosity of our Savior. Realize each day that our connection to Christ is the most valuable possession we can have.
Apply: Take inventory of where your heart is tempted by greed. Ask the Lord for forgiveness and power to find contentment in knowing that in Christ we have what is most valuable.
Prayer: Father, thank you for convicting my heart of greed. I desire to be generous as you have been with me. Forgive me for pursuing the abundance of possessions. Lead me to always be filled with an abundance of your grace. AMEN.
Enjoy Giving Generously!
“When I win the lottery, I’ll give some of it to the church.”
“It seems like all the church wants is my money.”
“Better throw $10 in the offering this morning.”
Every had these kind of thoughts? Giving to the Lord through your local church is a primary opportunity to practice giving generously. However, sometimes we find it difficult. Ever thought this before giving?
“I won’t have enough money left for groceries.”
“I just got laid off and need to save up. God will understand.”
“I think $20 a week is more than most people give.”
The LORD has lots to say about giving generously. He wants you to enjoy it. He wants to bless you through it. He wants your generosity to reap an abundant harvest for his kingdom work. Here’s some truths of God to encourage you to give generously:
- Giving generously comes from a heart that loves the LORD, not money.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
- Giving generously is a response to all that God has given to me, not a bill to pay.
1 Chronicles 29:14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
- Giving generously is a first priority, not an offering of leftovers.
2 Chronicles 31:5 As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.
- Giving generously is a planned percentage of income, not just an amount.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
- Giving generously is a regular activity, not just a one-time activity.
1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
- Giving generously is an exercise of faith, not an expense of finance.
Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Don’t wait. Don’t doubt. Don’t make excuses. Trust the truths and promises of God. Remember how God has shown his generosity to you. Enjoy giving generously!
Apply: Commit to apply these truths to your giving. Do it first. Set a percentage (work up to at least 10%). Do it regularly. Watch God bless your faith as you do!
Prayer: Lord, drive out all greed and reluctance to give from my heart. Help me trust your promises and give generously to you. Let me experience the joy of giving in response to the great generosity you have shown to me. AMEN.