The slippery road of a half truth

Ever been caught in a half truth and tried to squirm your way out of it? All the while knowing what you are saying is not completely right but enough to sound like the truth?
The problem with a half truth is it is also a half lie.
The Bible is an open book revealing flaws in ordinary people we sometimes elevate because of the extraordinary feats God accomplished through them.  God did not require perfection from them, only obedience...the same he requires from us today.  1 Samuel 15 is a perfect example of this.

Because of the opposition the nation of Amalek gave to the Israelites when they were passing through from Egypt, God decided to destroy their nation...everything and everyone.  Saul was given this mission to accomplish.
Enter half-truth half-lie.  Saul tries to convince the prophet Samuel he has accomplished the entire mission.  Samuel's response, “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Gotcha, caught in the half-truth.  Saul squirms, blames his army (not once but twice) and then sugar coats the disobedience with the God element.   “It’s true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Saul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to the Lord your God. We have destroyed everything else.”

Just because Saul, you or I put the God element in the mix still doesn't make a half truth a whole truth.  Notice it was not Saul's God he refers to but Samuel's God.  Big clue into the condition of Saul's heart.

Again Samuel called him out on the lie: "Why haven’t you obeyed the Lord? 

 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else.  Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”

 But Samuel replied,

“What is more pleasing to the Lord:
    your burnt offerings and sacrifices
    or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,
    and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
 Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft,
    and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols.
So because you have rejected the command of the Lord,
    he has rejected you as king.”

Saul had no idea the web he was spinning would become the entrapment that would change the course of his life.  Rebellion and stubbornness in our lives are like threads woven together that reflect beauty on the outside but one false move and that pattern becomes the sticky chords of entrapment and death.  Half truths always end this way, we just can't predict the moment. 

Putting the cart before the horse

"You will be changed into a different person. After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you. Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions.” 

Meanwhile, Saul stayed at Gilgal, and his men were trembling with fear.  Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn’t come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away.  So he demanded, “Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings!” And Saul sacrificed the burnt offering himself.

 Just as Saul was finishing with the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet and welcome him,  but Samuel said, “What is this you have done?”

 “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.  But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” (1 Samuel 10b-8;13:7-14 NLT)

Through Samuel, God gave Saul just enough instruction and insight into a future vision of the role he was to play in Israel.  Would Saul be willing and ready to be King of a people chosen by God to show and live his character before other nations?  Would Saul be willing to follow God’s leading and timing even though he might not understand it? Saul put the “cart before the horse” and all hopes and dreams of what he could have been and accomplished was gone. 

I think of this account when I ask God to give me dreams of what he wants to be and do through me.  God, give me just enough that I can’t figure it out before your timing or before you have prepared me to follow and not manipulate to take the lead.  Give me reminders of the dream to keep me from becoming impatient or discouraged by keeping my heart open and focused on the Giver of dreams.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4

The Gift of Generosity

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. (2 Corinthians 9:6-13) 

Gracious act of giving

I once heard a marriage conference speaker share that he and his family gave away all the money they had, not just once but twice!  This man was not a rich man but one of average means.  Interesting since finances rank in the top three of troubled areas for married couples.

He went on to explain that he and his wife clearly sensed God was telling them to give out of obedience not knowing if they would recoup to where they had been financially.  Not a good technique to share in counseling a troubled couple struggling with finances!!

I grew up under the pretense that you MUST give the first 10% of everything you earn, with much petty debate over gross or net, to God.  If you didn't fulfill this obligation you were not going to be blessed or _______(fill in the blank) could happen to you!  “God loves a cheerful giver”, is the imploring from the pulpit on Sunday mornings.  This always brought a sense of fear resulting in obligation and duty rather than joy and generosity.  How could these two thoughts be reconciled?  The answer would ultimately have a huge affect on the coffers of non-profit organizations but even deeper, the true heart treasure  of the giver.

2Cor 10:12b tells us not to use ourselves as a standard of measurement.  Whew…does that take the guilt away since I will never be able to measure up to someone else’s expectations and standards of giving.   The only standard to measure myself by is the standard of Christ (Eph 4:11-13). 

The apostle Paul gives us some guidelines for this standard in 2 Cor 8:1-15 (NLT)

·      Give ourselves to the Lord

God doesn't want my money!  Surprised?  The Creator of all doesn't need anything to accomplish his purposes.  What He wants and needs is my obedience and faith—not given out of duty or obligation but a heart of love and thankfulness.  He gave the ultimate Gift before you and I were even born. God initiated pursuing me because my mind, heart and soul are the greatest gifts I can give him.

·      Give ourselves to each other

When I understand and accept God’s amazing free gifts of grace, mercy, forgiveness and kindness; when I acknowledge that God has provided all my needs I then am able to freely give of not only what I have but of myself to others.  “…he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.  Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.” (2 Cor 2:14-16).  When we give ourselves to others we give a glimpse of Christ’s character. 

·      Give in proportion to what you have

Giving is not a competition sport.   ‘Showy’ giving not only distorts true giving but can also deny the basic necessities for those the giver is to be caring for.  Proportionate giving doesn't have a percentage sign.  Neither is the act of giving to clear self (or other) imposed guilt.  “Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly.  And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.” (2 Cor 8:12)

·      Give even in troubled times

The past few years have been extremely financially difficult for many people and giving is usually the first area to be axed.  In this atmosphere giving can be very creative and doesn't always mean money.  Giving can be food, warm clothes or blankets to those without or spending time with the sick, elderly or those in prisons.

“Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need.  Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it.” (2 Cor 8:14)

·      Excel in the gracious act of giving

The churches Paul was telling the Corinthians about were “being tested by many troubles and…very poor.  But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity….they gave not only what they could afford, but far more.  And they did it of their own free will.  They begged us…for the privilege of sharing…”  He then encourages his readers, “I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.  I am not commanding you to do this.  But I am testing how genuine your love is…” (2 Cor 8:2-3,7)

To excel in anything comes with the price of practice and testing.  How are we doing?  How genuine is our love?

Gracious giving is "patient, kind not jealous, boastful or proud. It is not demanding, irritable, or keeps records.  Gracious giving new gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance.' (1 Cor 13)

What better time  as we enter a fresh new year to excel in the gracious act of giving.