The Just shall Live by Faith

The Just shall Live by Faith

As much as those in full-time ministry need to live by faith in the Master whom they serve, every believer needs to do likewise. I am sure that the majority of Christians will claim that they do live trusting the Lord for their needs but, the reality is frequently very different.

It is important that we examine who we rely on for our daily needs. The truth is that most Christians have a whole system of support in which they trust. First of course is self. We all to some extent rely on our own skills and abilities to earn a wage and pay the bills. While it is good and right that we earn our living by honest work, we easily forget that the skills, job, strength etc all come from the Lord. It is only when we lose the job or get sick that we realize that our earning ability is a gift of the Lord.

Next we trust in our employer and look to him for our wages, promotion and security. No wonder so many workers do shoddy jobs as they have forgotten that they are not actually working for earthly bosses but for the Lord. Why do we fret and worry (and we all do) when it looks like we have lost favor with the employer? Simply because our trust is in the company, not in the Lord. When we serve the Lord and we do our jobs accordingly, the Lord is the One who will look after our promotion and security. But, we must be working for Him and living by faith in Him and Him alone.

The next source of our security is in insurance, medical aids, pension schemes and social security benefits. So, if we can no longer work, these agencies will take care of us. Unfortunately many people, the world over, are discovering that the value of their retirement schemes and insurance have been eroded by inflation, changed laws and company bankruptcies. Twenty years ago there may have been some merit in relying on these devices but that is no longer wise. The only One who will never go bankrupt, change the rules or run away with our investment is the Lord. Did Jesus not say: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Mat 6:19,20).

Many rely on friends and family to bail them out if they should get into trouble but unfortunately many friends will fail and even if they want to help, are often not in a position to do so. Also when we turn to them for help and they turn us down, the relationship could be ruined, so why risk it?

Then there are the banks and loan companies. One of the first places we turn to when we have a need is the lending institutions. After-all the world is flooded by advertising that promises that they will be there when you need them. The reality is that lenders only lend to those who do not need to borrow. If you are desperate, they will not help you.

Of course the government has a responsibility to take care of our calamities so when something goes wrong, many look to the government to assist them. While I feel deeply for those who are hit by some natural disaster and do understand that the governmental agencies have a responsibility, the question remains as to whom it is we have our faith in.

And don’t forget the church – they will help. Almost every day I receive visits and phone calls from people who insist that it is the churches’ duty to bail them out of their financial woes. When we inform them that we have a policy of not giving money, even if we had it, most of them turn nasty and insulting!

I am sure there are more people and institutions that we trust in for our financial survival. And I am by no means advocating that we should not be wise in the way we invest and manage our affairs. But here is a little test. When some calamity strikes what is your first course of action? Do you run for the telephone directory to see who you can call? Do you immediately call someone who may be able to help? Or do you make your needs known to the Lord and to Him alone? I am not encouraging an irresponsible attitude and that we sit around limp-wristed, waiting for an answer to fall from the sky. But, surely our first recourse has to be to call upon the Lord and to wait for Him to answer and direct us.

Where is our trust and confidence? Is it in earthly things or is it really in the Lord? How often do we pray “give us today our daily bread”? Most of us just launch into the day, confident that things will be taken care of – not by the Lord, but by ourselves. How many really give thanks for the food, when they sit down to a meal? I do not mean the routine prayer that is empty and meaningless but a prayer that really comes form the depth of our heart as we sit down in worship and gratitude for the Lord’s gracious provision. As we swallow each mouthful, is it with thanks for His provision or do we just gulp it down, assuming that we deserved the food and besides, it’s not such a wonderful meal?

I know some are wondering what this is all about as long as we make it through the month. But this is at the heart of our relationship with the Lord. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb 11:6). Our Father wants to be our total source and supply. This is not that He may turn us into weak and needy people who need Him for everything. He wants to be our only source of help, strength and supply because He is the only true and reliable source. What he knows and we don’t seem to understand is that all other sources will fail. When we put our confidence in anything else, we are bound to eventually turn to Him, because there is no help in any other. Oh that we could learn this truth and turn to Him first.

Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the Lord his God, Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow. (Ps 146:2-9)

Anton Bosch

anton@ifcb.net

3310 W Magnolia Blvd

Burbank, CA, 91505

Tel 818 846 5520