In the present trend of materialism, people tend to accumulate and hoard treasures rather than generously share them for the advancement of a cause. Even saved people are not spared from such evil. God wants us to be victorious over this tempting evil. As we get closer to the celebration of this local church’s founding anniversary, let us examine how far we have used the Lord’s entrusted treasures for the advancement of His church’s mission-vision. We are grateful to Him who empowered us to do His ministry as He provided us through the years. However, we are never to be complacent in whatever God has enabled us to achieve in His work. The field is extremely white and in great need of a new generation of workers that will harvest the souls for His kingdom. How are we going to sustain the cost of training men and women to increase the harvesters and church planters? Where do we house these men and women undergoing training at our school? How can we accommodate more worshippers and students of the word preached week after week? The need for teachers in training school is increasing. We thank God for inspiring more people to cast their lot into the ministry. We praise Him for bringing in the ones He is calling to surrender lives to the fulltime ministry. All these can’t be carried on without you Cornerstone members. Your increasing dedication is humbly urged into these various endeavors created to sustain the work of the Lord. All of us need to be committed stewards of the Lord.
The Savior narrated this parable in verses 1-8a. In the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus, he used this parable to teach His disciples the right use of wealth for kingdom purposes. The parable was the customary practice among wealthy landowners of the day who hired managers to take care and to grow their estate. The Lord Jesus highlighted the wisdom of using treasures for future needs. The steward was dishonest to the landowner. He made decisions to ensure himself in the future. But this last is the thing that the Lord Jesus wanted the disciples to learn. Thus, He is indirectly showing the learning of a good lesson out of a negative example. The main lesson the Savior wanted us to learn in this parable is the great wisdom of using every resource we possess for future needs. Investing one’s current possession, instead of hoarding it, with the goal of addressing future needs is perfectly wise. This act is not contrary to walking by faith principle. This provides a biblical premise on the wisdom of creating savings either on personal or institutional level. As saved people, we are to increase in this scriptural virtue both at the individual and the institutional level. But where do you, Christians, place your hard earned money for future needs? Are we depending more on the wisdom of the less-wise managers than on the wisdom of the wise stewards of the Lord? As more Christians pool their savings to mutually develop themselves economically then more tasks could be accomplished. Besides, this would create a godly consequence pursuant to the principle in 1 John 3:17. That would glorify the name of Jesus before the world!
The latter section, verses 8b-13, of the text shows the Lord Jesus’ demonstration of the truth’s relevancy in the disciples lives. The truth unfolded above shows its current application in the lives of the hearer-disciples. Others see three relevant, though I personally understand four relevant application principles. First, treasures are to be used to win people to the kingdom (v.9). Every peso we get must be used wisely towards leading people to salvation. We use money or other forms of wealth to get people into the kingdom. So establishing institutions that facilitate the administration of different strategies to get people into the kingdom is scripturally right. It is quite burdensome to regularly ask our people for somebody’s needs due to calamitous events. I believe in it and so am asking the Lord to use this local church in creating organizations that will answer this need.
Secondly, the Lord Jesus encouraged us to use faithfully whatever little resources we have as it will be rewarded with larger stewardship (v.10). The reward shall be dependent upon the manager’s loyalty and integrity. We can’t ask God for greater stewardship if we are not faithful in smaller management. This holds true to money, manpower, and other forms of means. One is undeserving to be promoted to a higher position who has not proven himself faithful in a lower position. Let us consider the entrusted stewardship of land God has given us to till for the CAM projects. We hardly hear such generosity among Christians, nowadays! Yet, God in His goodness empowered such hearts to favor His children’s needs. So we must emulate the steward, in the right sense, we learned from this parable. As church members and benefactors of CAM ministry, we are under divine obligation to get involved not only in the blessedness of receiving but primarily in giving. Think of what you could give! Consider one of these which you could share – hard labor, capital funds, equipment and materials, quiet prayer and reinforcement, and linkages for its advancement. Nothing is too small to share in the work of the Lord because everything is significant. Even one of our pianists, who knows she has to take care of her hands, invested manual hard labor! Every liter of crude oil and vehicle depreciation cost spent twice a week by our project manager substantially freed CAM from the financial burdens. The youth spent their able bodies on hard labor! Professionals used their day off in it! What a great, generous heart-warming people of God!
Thirdly, Christ wanted us to become reliable in financial management as it shall become the basis of spiritual care of souls and greater spiritual tasks as rewards (v.11). Some men have launched into the ministry of souls without passing this financial test. But, why did they make it in the ministry? Because God has shown them mercies through the provided servants who take care of the lack in the servant of God’s leadership. The great dependency of local fundamental churches on external sustenance for the last century was partly due to failing in this test. Many have neglected if not undermined this test as if God will work without us doing our share. CBC people, let us be strong in indigenous principle. What we are doing is consistent with this truth. Consider Romans 12:9 and 1Thess.5:21 in your meditation. Shut your ears to ungodly words that weaken our leaders who are engaged in hard labor to raise our indigenous status in this land! Keep your heart from the contamination of criticism launched by others discouraging our noble attempts to free our local churches from external dependency from all fronts. Such seemingly alarmist attitude is normally expected as the critics enjoyed in ease the contrary approach to what we are pursuing.
Finally, the Lord Jesus emphasized the subordination of every treasure to God’s primary interest (v.13). He strongly warned that we can’t serve both money and God. In Aramaic, “mammon” means wealth or possession. So, whether we inherit or work for a treasure, we are duty bound to let it be used in subordination to God’s program. Christ commanded the church to preach the gospel nationwide and throughout the world. The CBC’s strategy of reaching the world is by delimiting first to seemingly reachable areas such as Asia – our very own neighbor nations. The missionaries that will go to these areas will come from the trained Filipino workers. Even those who have gone abroad for work must seriously consider, in the light of biblical principles, the interest of the national church of their origin. Thus, our money, our lands, our talents and skills, our linkages, and our lives must be wisely used in every activity designed to advance the interest of the Lord Jesus Christ.
As you ponder about this truth and its relevant applications, would you consider some areas you could be of great use to the Lord’s work? Continue giving your tithes and offerings as these are being used to sustain our Pastor and family, our teachers and church workers. As members of CBC in this locale, we need to improve the current facility to make it a safer and better worship and service place! On April 29, I would ask you to have a share in the cost of fulfilling this great need! This is the right way of minimal participation you could do according to this text. As you discipline yourself in saving a little like the ants in the book of Proverbs, you are encouraging the men and women behind the FAITH Systems. Are you currently involved in it? Let us keep the high spirit God has generated in our souls for the CAM projects! Equally significant are the men and women planning and preparing to improve the sustenance of more students at CBMS who would become missionaries. Their teachers are never to be neglected in their quality of teaching competence. Pray that the good Lord would enable us also to institutionalize our noble strategies of securing sinners into the saving hand of our Savior!
Sunday, April 1, 2007
A Pinch of Salt and a Bottle of Kerosene
Let me start my article by telling you a story commonly told in the barrios.
One day, a child was heard crying and shouting to his mother, “Nanay, manok na naman ba ang ulam natin?” The mother replied, “Pasensiya na anak, hindi pa ako nakakaluwas para pumunta sa palengke at bumili ng sardinas.”
During those times, it would take an hour or so to wait for a bus to go down to the city proper and another two-three hours to travel because of the bad road conditions. With that, the people in the barrios would always have second thoughts of going to the city and would go there only in times of emergency or when the benefits of traveling outweighed the costs.
Even now in our barangay in the province which is situated in the uplands of Ligao, Albay, people would go to the market most often only once a month because of the distance. And they would often just go to the nearby sari-sari store to buy only two things – salt and kerosene. My mother owns a small sari-sari store and I know that these are the two fast-moving commodities.
Most, if not all of the daily food of the people in our barangay are from their backyards. Surrounding the local community are coconuts and banana trees, corn, and rice. In their backyard are chickens, pigs, turkeys, geese, and ducks. Thus, the dining table would have chicken or pork and eggs during mealtimes. Indeed, the families in our place would rely on their own produce for their daily food intake.
What then is my point?
God graciously entrusted to us hectares of land in Laiban, Tanay for our mission works. Our pastor has envisioned it, not only to house our in-house missionary school but also as a training ground for future missionaries on how to live simply and productively amongst the people they will be ministering to. It will also be a source of funds for our missions. These are all in line with the indigenous principle that our church is adhering to. With our limited manpower and financial resources, we need not always look to the more affluent Western world to support the work of Christ. By God’s grace, we can do it!
We have started planting camote for industrial purposes. We have also finished restructuring the fish ponds which now have 7,500 tilapia fingerlings in them. Lord willing, after three and a half months, we will be able to harvest 1,200 kilos. We also have started planting vegetables and are currently preparing the housing of goats and pigs. We already have a few chickens, ducks, and turkey running in our “backyard” in Laiban.
In the future, we aim to have 50-100 heads of goats not only for meat but also for milk production. Aside from that we envisioned a small piggery. This June also will be the rice planting season. Recently, we have asked the permission of the Latojas to cultivate more than two hectares of uphill portion of their land for the planting of bananas and other root crops.
All of these, the Lord willing, will not only address (at least partially) the financial needs of our mission works but also the daily provision of our church workers. If we can maximize the use of the land and use it at its full potential, we believe that we can greatly reduce the food expenses of our church workers.
Right now, every time we go down to Laiban, we always bring our own food. Wouldn’t it be a great blessing that one day, it will only be salt and kerosene that we will need to bring down with us? And wouldn’t it be a double blessing that we will be able to bring up with us vegetables, eggs, rice, bananas, fish, meat, and other victuals from our own produce? What a great blessing that would be indeed!
Brethren, the work before us is great. This can not be done by one man. Neither can it be done by two or even the leadership of CAM. We all need to take part in this. The volunteer work of cleaning the land is continuing. More money is needed also to finance our future projects. One way of financially helping this work, is to patronize our products. But above all, we need your daily and sincere prayers for wisdom and God’s abundant blessings. Pray always that God will envelop with his cloud of protection whatever things we have placed in Laiban.
May God continuously bless us all. Amen!
One day, a child was heard crying and shouting to his mother, “Nanay, manok na naman ba ang ulam natin?” The mother replied, “Pasensiya na anak, hindi pa ako nakakaluwas para pumunta sa palengke at bumili ng sardinas.”
During those times, it would take an hour or so to wait for a bus to go down to the city proper and another two-three hours to travel because of the bad road conditions. With that, the people in the barrios would always have second thoughts of going to the city and would go there only in times of emergency or when the benefits of traveling outweighed the costs.
Even now in our barangay in the province which is situated in the uplands of Ligao, Albay, people would go to the market most often only once a month because of the distance. And they would often just go to the nearby sari-sari store to buy only two things – salt and kerosene. My mother owns a small sari-sari store and I know that these are the two fast-moving commodities.
Most, if not all of the daily food of the people in our barangay are from their backyards. Surrounding the local community are coconuts and banana trees, corn, and rice. In their backyard are chickens, pigs, turkeys, geese, and ducks. Thus, the dining table would have chicken or pork and eggs during mealtimes. Indeed, the families in our place would rely on their own produce for their daily food intake.
What then is my point?
God graciously entrusted to us hectares of land in Laiban, Tanay for our mission works. Our pastor has envisioned it, not only to house our in-house missionary school but also as a training ground for future missionaries on how to live simply and productively amongst the people they will be ministering to. It will also be a source of funds for our missions. These are all in line with the indigenous principle that our church is adhering to. With our limited manpower and financial resources, we need not always look to the more affluent Western world to support the work of Christ. By God’s grace, we can do it!
We have started planting camote for industrial purposes. We have also finished restructuring the fish ponds which now have 7,500 tilapia fingerlings in them. Lord willing, after three and a half months, we will be able to harvest 1,200 kilos. We also have started planting vegetables and are currently preparing the housing of goats and pigs. We already have a few chickens, ducks, and turkey running in our “backyard” in Laiban.
In the future, we aim to have 50-100 heads of goats not only for meat but also for milk production. Aside from that we envisioned a small piggery. This June also will be the rice planting season. Recently, we have asked the permission of the Latojas to cultivate more than two hectares of uphill portion of their land for the planting of bananas and other root crops.
All of these, the Lord willing, will not only address (at least partially) the financial needs of our mission works but also the daily provision of our church workers. If we can maximize the use of the land and use it at its full potential, we believe that we can greatly reduce the food expenses of our church workers.
Right now, every time we go down to Laiban, we always bring our own food. Wouldn’t it be a great blessing that one day, it will only be salt and kerosene that we will need to bring down with us? And wouldn’t it be a double blessing that we will be able to bring up with us vegetables, eggs, rice, bananas, fish, meat, and other victuals from our own produce? What a great blessing that would be indeed!
Brethren, the work before us is great. This can not be done by one man. Neither can it be done by two or even the leadership of CAM. We all need to take part in this. The volunteer work of cleaning the land is continuing. More money is needed also to finance our future projects. One way of financially helping this work, is to patronize our products. But above all, we need your daily and sincere prayers for wisdom and God’s abundant blessings. Pray always that God will envelop with his cloud of protection whatever things we have placed in Laiban.
May God continuously bless us all. Amen!
Developing Your Spiritual Gifts
“What should I do after graduation?” is one of the most difficult decisions of life young people face. Even committed young people in the midst of several options ask “how can I know God’s will? Where can I get involved?” God guides through the Bible and He uses the Holy Spirit, parents, friends and elders or leaders in the church. You may have wondered that during our LYE screening I asked most of you this question, “What is your Spiritual Gift?” In your puzzled expression I sensed the need for enlightenment.
Not knowing our Spiritual gifts will lead to discouragement, defeat, despair, wasted time, treasures and talents. Spiritual gift is like a map or road sign to a lost and confused traveler on a highway.
What must you do to discover your spiritual gifts?
1. Pray. Not to ask for the gift but to reveal it to you (Phil 4:6,7).
2. Study. God has dispersed his spiritual gifts at least one to every believer upon salvation and not on the basis of spiritual maturity or education. You will find the list of gifts in I Cor. 12; Rom. 12; Eph. 4; and 1 Peter 4. They are given for the edifying of the body (Eph. 4:11,12) and not the self (1 Cor. 13:5). If you have confirmed to be gifted as a teacher, then you will not be contented in just reading books you choose on teaching but you will enroll at CBMS.
3. Delight in the Lord. He will place within your heart desires the areas of service consistent with your spiritual gifts (Psa. 37:4). But a desire does not necessarily mean a gift. It will have to be confirmed by your ability.
4. Develop. The discovery of your gift has a corresponding assurance that God gave you teachers, pastor or elders to help you develop your gifts (Eph. 4:11) and are reliable to evaluate your God-given ability. Our heart is deceitful above all things (Jer.17:9). We may confuse spiritual gifts with natural talents which are possessed at birth. Such talents should be dedicated to the Lord to be used for His glory. Ability improves and develops with practice. In seeking to develop your gifts you have to be available. Never refuse an opportunity to serve such as assisting in nursery, teaching in Sunday school, joining adult soul winning, working at CAM projects, visiting sick people, and encouraging weak members.
Serve. In my early Christian life our church offered us Sundays filled with services - teaching children, visiting, counseling, cleaning a school classroom for our Sunday service and then before going home at night, arranging the furniture back to the original position. Preparing and arranging for summer and “winter” (or December) church camps and vacation Bible school gave us also exhausted nights in bed but our hearts were bursting with excitement for souls saved, new contacts, encouragement of broken heart and edification of fellow believers. The personal blessing of God to my soul and ministry were used by our Lord to assure me of His direction. Blessings accompany the spiritual gifts exercised in the energy of the Holy Spirit. Obviously it was not concluded in a two-day conference or a four-day youth camp but God works in weeks, months, and even years!
Young people, do not be impatient but rather pray, study, delight in the Lord, develop the gift, and serve. Never Quit!
Not knowing our Spiritual gifts will lead to discouragement, defeat, despair, wasted time, treasures and talents. Spiritual gift is like a map or road sign to a lost and confused traveler on a highway.
What must you do to discover your spiritual gifts?
1. Pray. Not to ask for the gift but to reveal it to you (Phil 4:6,7).
2. Study. God has dispersed his spiritual gifts at least one to every believer upon salvation and not on the basis of spiritual maturity or education. You will find the list of gifts in I Cor. 12; Rom. 12; Eph. 4; and 1 Peter 4. They are given for the edifying of the body (Eph. 4:11,12) and not the self (1 Cor. 13:5). If you have confirmed to be gifted as a teacher, then you will not be contented in just reading books you choose on teaching but you will enroll at CBMS.
3. Delight in the Lord. He will place within your heart desires the areas of service consistent with your spiritual gifts (Psa. 37:4). But a desire does not necessarily mean a gift. It will have to be confirmed by your ability.
4. Develop. The discovery of your gift has a corresponding assurance that God gave you teachers, pastor or elders to help you develop your gifts (Eph. 4:11) and are reliable to evaluate your God-given ability. Our heart is deceitful above all things (Jer.17:9). We may confuse spiritual gifts with natural talents which are possessed at birth. Such talents should be dedicated to the Lord to be used for His glory. Ability improves and develops with practice. In seeking to develop your gifts you have to be available. Never refuse an opportunity to serve such as assisting in nursery, teaching in Sunday school, joining adult soul winning, working at CAM projects, visiting sick people, and encouraging weak members.
Serve. In my early Christian life our church offered us Sundays filled with services - teaching children, visiting, counseling, cleaning a school classroom for our Sunday service and then before going home at night, arranging the furniture back to the original position. Preparing and arranging for summer and “winter” (or December) church camps and vacation Bible school gave us also exhausted nights in bed but our hearts were bursting with excitement for souls saved, new contacts, encouragement of broken heart and edification of fellow believers. The personal blessing of God to my soul and ministry were used by our Lord to assure me of His direction. Blessings accompany the spiritual gifts exercised in the energy of the Holy Spirit. Obviously it was not concluded in a two-day conference or a four-day youth camp but God works in weeks, months, and even years!
Young people, do not be impatient but rather pray, study, delight in the Lord, develop the gift, and serve. Never Quit!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
