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Beggar or Son? With another year gone by and another Christmas just moments behind us, many spend this time to reflect upon their life. We look back on our successes and dream of going farther than before. We think of what worked and what helped to make us better than we were. We look back on failures and wonder what went wrong. We think of what didn’t work and how we can keep ourselves from making the same mistakes. This New Year is more special than others have been as we look back on the attacks from September 11, 2001. We analyze this situation as we do others. We hope for peace, joy, unity and security. Many are humbled this New Year; others are angry. It seems as though the world is tearing apart into uneven halves. Perhaps we are separated Muslim and Christian; rich and poor; war and peace. Perhaps we are separated even another way. The attack that happened on our American soil last fall affected not only the economy and general population, but also the church in America. Immediately, church attendance rose all over the country. The attacks brought an overwhelming effort amongst Americans to give to charitable organizations. People of America were shown on TV giving testimony of how lives had changed, and people were more respecting of and kinder to one another. Was America repentant? Have things actually changed for our nation? Our nation’s leaders have sought repentance. Many churches have had prayer services. But there is one separation that is still to come. That separation is of the son and the beggar. Three weeks after the attack, general church attendance nationwide went lower than before the attacks (see www.barna.org). People stopped giving because charitable organizations wouldn’t release the money as promised. Some churches began to desire federal funding in order to get some extra money. People began to get bitter and acted worse toward their neighbors than they had before. Murders continued. Local terrorism even continued. In America’s pride of invincibility, she calls upon God only in time of need. If she could see what greed has made of her, America would realize that her own lust and covetousness for riches has blinded her. She has become cynical. a beggar wanting more. But God is calling for His sons. Charities are busting with money to give to those in need, but the victims need more than money. Mark 10:46-52 (KJV) “And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 48And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 49And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. 51And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Bartimaeus could have asked for money. He could have asked for food. But he asked to see. Christ gave him his request and he followed Jesus. He became a son. America needs to follow after Bartimaeus’ example. Instead of calling out for more troops, more money, more food, let’s ask for sight, for discernment, and for wisdom. At Christmas, many children probably asked, “Is this all there is?” While they are young, are we teaching them the purpose for life. It is not about getting more and being a beggar; it is about seeing Christ and being a son. -S. Chad Ross January Newsletter 2002 | Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth | A Truly New Year Pastor's Journal January 2001 | Beggar or Son? | Heart of the Matter |
Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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