Consider Diligently [2 of 2]

Service Notes

Give suplies to VBM & O

Vote to give to the McCormacks

Report from Colombia (Chris Fies)

End in prayer for Ukraine

Evaluate your motives

Proverbs 23:1–3 (KJV 1900)

1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently what is before thee:

2 And put a knife to thy throat, If thou be a man given to appetite.

3 Be not desirous of his dainties: For they are deceitful meat.

Invitation to sit with the powerful

This was lived out with the men of Daniel 1 & gets lived out often among all of you.

This is an a desire that I know I must be mindful of. I love meeting new people and “networking.” What I must consider is whose kingdom am I looking to advance.

Consider what is before you.

We aren’t talking about food on the table.

Given to appetite: “Though referring here narrowly to food, can be interpreted broadly with reference to all appetites. Total prohibition is necessary for a person who cannot control his appetites; the disciple can give no place to lust

Matthew 5:29-30 “29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.”

Met at an Indian buffet and ate way more than I should have and was unprepared to respond.

A lack of moderation in one area will lead to indulgence in other areas.

How do we consider what is before us in regards to our motivation?

How do I know if I am driven with zeal for good works or driven by an ungodly ambition?

The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 may create a burden that can be relieved only by the words of Jesus in.

Matthew 11:28–30 (KJV 1900)

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The labor that pleases God is a labor that embraces the easy yoke and light burden of obedience.

For his commands are not burdensome 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

“We serve God best when we know he has no need of our service.”

Beware of the idol of wealth.

Proverbs 23:4–5 (KJV 1900)

4 Labour not to be rich: Cease from thine own wisdom.

5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Labor not for wealth or fame. There’s a crown and you can win it if you will go in Jesus’ name.

Labour to be rich Vs. Work to pay the bills

Seen in the end of the verse Proverbs 23:4 Labour not to be rich: Cease from thine own wisdom.

Once again we are reminded of the focus of our eyes. Set not thine eyes

Eagles are hard to capture.

Ever went into a doctor and told them you were self-insured? That usually means one or two things.

Bible gives a charge to those who are rich in this world.

1 Timothy 6:17–18 (KJV 1900)

17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

Be not high minded

Trust not in riches but the living God

Be rich in good works - ready to be generous

There is no problem with money flowing through your hands. The problem is wanting to be rich—wanting to have for only your own pleasure.

The “will be” speaks of motivation.

1 Timothy 6:9 (KJV 1900)

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

A problem not just for the 1%

It is easy to look at others and believe that this is not an issue we face.

Video showing “saying poverty may look different than you imagine and shows a person with a simple life below poverty line”

The New Testament gives a relentless push toward what some have call towards intentional simplicity

Pleasures of this world can choke out our joy even though they are marketed as the answer to all our problems

Luke 8:14 KJV 1900

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

The opposite of covetousness is knowing your identity is not a reflection of things you have.

Luke 12:15 KJV 1900

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

“Thou shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17). Covetousness means simply loving something too much, loving it the way you shouldn’t love it — like loving a boyfriend, or your husband, or your health, or your life, in such a way that it starts to undermine your love for God.

Teenage years seems to be the time you realize the garden has things I am allowed to enjoy and things I am not suppose to enjoy. This is the age we start getting tired of the things provided for us and seek something else.

Laying up treasures for ourselves goes against the purpose of treasures. It shows the same heart as those who will try to steal it.

Matthew 6:19 KJV 1900

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

We are told how to let our treasures serve their God given purpose and effect eternity.

Luke 12:33 KJV 1900

33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

We are told where are ambitions should be placed.

Matthew 6:33 KJV 1900

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

The Bible provides a constant reminder of how little value earthly things are in light of eternity.

Luke 12:20 KJV 1900

20 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?

Jesus tells us riches are a hindrance to one’s obtaining eternal life

Luke 18:23–25 (KJV 1900)

23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

The ruler was more attached to his wealth than to the idea of obtaining “eternal life” which he had so nobly asked about at the beginning of his conversation with the Lord.

Which means that our discipleship to our kids concerning wealth is vitally important.

Our talks about finances have to be more than just about the “envelope system” but it needs to include an understanding of their God given purpose in life.

Reminded being generous is not a matter of early resources but abounding in an understanding of God

2 Corinthians 8:1–2 (KJV 1900)

1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

The antidote for greed is not stop but behold

Ephesians 4:28 (KJV 1900)

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

The bare minimal needed for contentment is far lower than we like to believe, especially today and here.

1 Timothy 6:7–8 (KJV 1900)

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Picture of a home scene from two perspectives. Foster training.

Covetousness doesn’t only effect our check accounts and daily planners but our conversations

Hebrews 13:5 (KJV 1900)

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Simply: A love for things can come in direct conflict with a love for God.

1 John 3:17 (KJV 1900)

17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

-------------------

Do not fellowship with people who have a wrong view of God’s provision for their life

Proverbs 23:6–8 (KJV 1900)

6 Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, Neither desire thou his dainty meats:

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.

8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words.

The Evil Eye

Proverbs 28:22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, And considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

Matthew 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Bountiful Eye

Proverbs 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor.

“Let’s just have a meal together” We should look them in the eyes

Every have an old friend contact you? When I moved to Alpharetta I was excited to have someone come over. They wanted to tell me about their friend Amway. I thought it was the name of their Indian friend.

Regret receiving the invitation

Proverbs 23:8 The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, And lose thy sweet words.

The pleasant words spoken at his table will seem wasted.

Gratitude helps with our sight

“Gratitude is like glasses, as it helps us see the glory of God’s mercy more clearly.”

We can discover the greatest joy of gratitude by noticing how often God’s word links thanksgiving with praise.

Psalm 35:18 I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.

Psalm 69:30 I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify him with thanksgiving.

Luke 17:15-16 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

thanksgiving does focus more on what God does, and praise on who God is

Do not waste your words in these environments

Proverbs 23:9 KJV 1900

9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Seems harsh but from experience we should all see the value.

Witnessing at an outside 4th of July Party but everyone was drunk.

People can be intoxicated from various alcoholic beverages and things that are not beverages at all.

The fool will not receive or appreciate your wisdom. It will be as Jesus later described – like throwing pearls before pigs Matthew 7:6

Do not be deceptive and steal

Proverbs 23:10–11 (KJV 1900)

10 Remove not the old landmark; And enter not into the fields of the fatherless:

11 For their redeemer is mighty; He shall plead their cause with thee.

Remove Not

Reference to moving property lines. / I do the opposite. I try to mow less.

It was evil to enter the fields of the fatherless to take some of the harvest from those who had trouble protecting it.

Their Redeemer is Mighty

The orphan and all who are vulnerable have a special protector, a Redeemer.

Apply your heart to wisdom

Proverbs 23:12 KJV 1900

12 Apply thine heart unto instruction, And thine ears to the words of knowledge.

Wisdom can be given out, but it must be received to be of any lasting good.

This is a contrast to the other type of meal time conversations available.

We live in a world that says having answers about eternal matters makes you small minded. I just cannot understand the logic. How is not knowing a stronger and more intellectual position?

We can and should be people of conviction

We can be believing people.

2 Timothy 1:12 (KJV 1900)

12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Even though we know there is much to be known. 1 Cor 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

We have seen the One who is Truth, Jesus John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

That in him are "hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" Col 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

That God has spoken plainly in his Word on all essential things for living and believing as we ought to live 2 Tim 3:15-17 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

That God does not call us to be indecisive, but to have strong confidence in what he has taught us in his Word Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

“I may err – I am a man – but a heretic I cannot be, because I ask constantly for instruction in the word of God.

Conclusion

Let’s end as we started “1 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, Consider diligently what is before thee:

It is not lost on me that many of you often have to make hard choices because of your convictions.

For a season it has been related to covid for all of history it has been connected to money and promotion.

I do not know the answer to many of the questions you will face. Some are just part of the work environment and others are against the cause of Christ.

Story: How do we know what is cultural and what is pagan? When people are filled with the Word what remains is cultural and what left was page.