"Every Person is Someone's Child" by Jason Hilburn

Jason Hilburn, a faithful gospel preacher and close friend, recently started a website called "The Bible Domain." I wanted to take the time to promote his website by posting an article and a link to his website. He is a native of Brantley, Alabama and is currently preaching at Nesbit church of Christ in Nesbit, MS. He is a graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching and is a blessing to those who have the opportunity to hear him speak. It is with his permission that I post a favorite article of mine and I would like to encourage everyone to visit his website The Bible Domain.

"Every Person is Someone's Child"

My wife and I have been blessed with children, which are one of God’s greatest gifts. Children are described in the Scriptures as  “a heritage of the Lord”  (Psalm 127:3), and they have the innate ability to stir up great joy in our hearts. It just seems natural to feel an especially close bond to one’s own children. However, even though my children are especially dear to me, I am reminded that other people’s children are just as precious as mine, and in reality every person is someone’s child, no matter how old he or she is. No matter who the person is you meet on  the street, that person was once a precious little baby with a mother and a father, and no matter how old children get, their parents will always view them as their “children.” Keeping this in mind may help us remember how priceless every single soul is.

When keeping things in perspective, one realizes that the soul of a homeless man on the street is just as precious in the sight of God as the soul of one’s cute little child. The difference is that the child’s soul is unstained by sin, while the same cannot be said about the adult who has sinned against God: “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee” (Ezekiel 28:15; cf. 18:20). “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). Even the souls of those considered “horrible people,” such as murderers and thieves, are precious in the sight of God, and they need to be saved. God does not desire that any soul perish in Hell, even one who might seem to be the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15; 2:4; Ezekiel 33:11; 2 Peter 3:9). That is why we are commanded to “preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15), because God wants every soul saved, and we should as well.

When it comes to one’s “spiritual family,” every person is the child of one of two fathers. By the way one lives his life, he chooses either to be a child of God or a child of Satan. Although we all began as innocent children, those who get older eventually sin against God and become separated from Him: Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness (Isaiah 59:1-3).

We then become a child of Satan, as many of the Jews of Jesus’ day were: I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, [even] God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:37-44).

When we live in sin, we not only become the devil’s children; we effectively become his slaves: “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16). “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34).

If we wish to become Christians, we must humble ourselves and become as obedient little children once again. Jesus loved little children, and He said,  “...Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven”  (Matthew 18:3-4; cf. 19:14). It is when we obey the Gospel to wash away our sins that we are born again, becoming the children of God instead of the children of the devil: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ”  (Galatians 3:26-27; cf. John 3:1-5; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 5:25-26). Paul went on to write that, as God’s faithful children, we look forward to the inheritance He has waiting for us: “And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29; cf. 1 Peter 1:3-4).

While it may sometimes seem easier to love little children than many adults, please remember that every adult was once a little baby, and the adult’s soul is just as precious and priceless. Also remember that your soul is precious to God, and He wants  to be your loving Father forever.

http://www.TheBibleDomain.com

What is My Motivation for Giving?

Often it is the case that a preacher will stand before a congregation and will expound on the importance of personal evangelism, giving, and other important aspects of Christian living. These important topics should continually be taught with all fervency. There is another area of study one should keep in mind when these topics are discussed. What is you motivation for doing what you do? WordWeb describes motivation as “The psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior.” Simply, it is what drives us to completing our goals. One may think of a soon to be bride and her bid to lose weight. What is her motivation? She wants to fit in a smaller wedding gown. One may also think of a male who willingly bends over backwards for a female who may not be too interested in him at the moment. What is his motivation? He wants to win her heart. When thinking of self one would ask, “What is my motivation for ________?” That is a question that every Christian should ask. What is it that drives me to do the things I do? One can have wrong motives when committing a good act. Over a period of time, it is our goal to look at some areas where one needs to make sure one’s motivations are pure. This week we ask, “What is My Motivation for Giving?” We know that “…It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) but why do we give?

Am I motivated by recognition received for my “good giving”? Do I look forward to the possibility that someone, somewhere is going to congratulate me for such a job well done. This seemed to be the mindset of Ananias and Sapphira, who sold a portion of land (Acts 5:1, 3). The two conspired to give a portion of the money to the apostles and keep the rest for themselves. This act ultimately cost the pair their lives and cemented the apostolic authority. One cannot help but ask the question, “Why would the two choose to commit such an act?” The answer lies at the end of Acts 4. “And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet” (Acts 4:36-37). Barnabas received some acclaim for the gift, which he gave. It seems the husband and wife duo wanted that same recognition and ultimately got their wish. “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:3-4). Do not allow praise to be your motivation for giving.

Am I motivated by that fact that “I have to give”? Christians are commanded to give of their means (1Corinthians 16:1-2). Is this the only reason we give? Do we have this “sense of ought” with no other factors motivating our efforts? God is not pleased with that type of heart. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).  Again, notice the command given in this verse toward giving. God wants us to give as is “purposed” or planned. He does not want giving at the last minute. He does not want one to give “grudgingly.” The Greek word literally means “out of grief.” This is the person who is sorrowed at thought of being parted from his money but does so because “he has to give.” If there was any question concerning this idea of a sense of ought, one can easily note that God does not want anyone to give “of necessity.” Literally, “If I didn’t have to give, I would not.” God loves a cheerful giver. He does not love those who give because “God makes me.”

Am I motivated by the good my offering can do? Ever stop to think about what good your money can do for the church? Remember, “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).  One can notice a few verses later that Paul said, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” (2 Corinthians 9:8). While this is not exclusively what Paul spoke of in this verse, one can consider how much the work of the church abounds from the gift of giving. Many have brought the gospel of Christ to different parts of the world, yet never visiting one of those places. Through the support of many congregations souls have been rescued from Hellfire. Not everyone can be a missionary, but many can support the work of the church and do much good through giving. Is that your motivation?

Am I motivated by that which God has given? It goes without saying that God has given many great gifts to mankind. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). He willingly gave up the life of His Son (John 3:16). He gives the gift of His grace to those who will are obedient to His will (Ephesians 2:8). He even gives daily gifts of rain and sunshine to the just and unjust (Matthew 5:45). Ever take the time to reflect on everything God has done for you? If not take the time to do so. It might change your disposition of one who gives with a heart of sorrow to one who is a cheerful giver. What is my motivation?

What motivates the gifts which God gives? “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16).  God did not do any of this because of selfish pride. He did not do what He has done because, “He had to do it.” His giving was ultimately done for the benefit of the world. Why not let your giving be done because of the love you have for God. Please reflect on these things when giving of your means as God has commanded.