Blessed - The Third Element

Warning!!  Before you read this post, it is absolutely essential that you read the previous post from May 25.  Failure to do so will result in brain overload because the math equation presented in this post is dramatically more complex than the math in the previous post.  And, the math in the previous post is the starting formula for today’s post.

OK, moving on now that you have read the May 25 post.  The equation in the previous post was really only part of the formula.  There’s more to the story.  To be more precise, there is another element in the equation.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  (Acts 20:35)

The whole equation:  1+1+1=3

There is a blessing that comes from receiving.  There is a blessing that comes from giving.  And, in between, there is a blessing that comes from processing and producing with our own personality, experiences, and talents.

Let’s go back to the teaching example.  When you learn something new, you are blessed to receive more knowledge.  When you teach something to someone, you are blessed by sharing that information with someone else and watching them learn.

The additional element is the processing and preparation time between learning and teaching.  You take the new information, and add it with your previous knowledge and your previous experiences.  Then, through your own personality, goals, and talents you create what you will share.  You decide when to teach, identify who the students will be, how you will teach, and what you will include and exclude.

This middle step is what allows us to add our own impact on the act of sharing.  God has given each of us a unique set of talents, experiences, and level of understanding.  It is this unique personality that influences when and how and what we share with other people.

We are blessed when we receive + we are blessed with talents and knowledge and experiences that we use to prepare what we will share + we are blessed when we share with others = blessing upon blessing upon blessing!!

It is more blessed to give...Mathematical Proof

A few weeks ago our pastor gave a sermon based on Acts 20:35.  This is a quote from the Apostle Paul, spoken to the elders in Ephesus:  “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

There are several things interesting about this quote.  First, this is the only recording of these words being spoken by Jesus.  So, how did Paul know Jesus made this statement?  Did he actually hear Christ speak these words while He was on earth?  That raises some interesting thoughts.

Second, what exactly does this mean?  In his sermon, Pastor Dave defined blessed as being “happy.”  The statement then can be interpreted to mean that “we are happier when we give.” This being the title of the sermon.  You can listen to the whole message at http://www.corkingoodsermons.com

Finally, why is this true?  Personally, I’m pretty happy to receive a gift.  So, why is it true that we are happier, more blessed, when we give?  Well, I have a theory, but it involves some math, so try to follow along.  Here’s the math:  1 + 1 = 2

Here’s the word problem to go along with the math.  If receiving equals one unit of happy and giving equals one unit of happy, then the entire process of receiving and giving equals two units of happy.

My theory is that you cannot give until you have received.  Therefore, both elements are present and the act of giving is equal to the blessing of both receiving and giving.

Before you click and run off to another website, let me try putting this into a practical example.  How about teaching?  That should be a good example.

It is more blessed to teach than to learn.

In order to teach you first have to learn.  And, you get the blessing of learning.  Then, when you share that information with others, you get the blessing of helping them learn.  Teaching is a double blessing.

What happens if you teach without first learning?  That’s fraud.

What happens if you learn without sharing with others?  That’s selfish greed.

To receive the double blessing you must first receive/learn.  And, then you must share/teach.

Mathematically, it is more blessed, 2X, to give than to receive.

A Passion for Partnering with God

Over the weekend we released our fourth book, “A Passion for Partnering with God.”  This study guide is very different from our other three publications.  This is not a Bible study guide.  Instead, the study is based on the autobiography of R.G. LeTourneau.

A few years ago a member of our college group, who attended LeTourneau University, told me some interesting stories about the founder of the school.  Eventually, I read “Mover of Men and Mountains.”  After just a few pages I was hooked!!  The life and trials and accomplishments of R.G. LeTourneau are amazing.  Even though he lived several decades ago, the events in his life were very similar to modern day events.

For example, as I was reading about the “Swine Flu” on the Internet, I was reading about the Spanish Flu epidemic that killed 25,000,000 people in 1918.  R.G. survived the Spanish Flu, but his first born son was one of millions of infants who did not survive.

As I was reading about R.G.’s business ventures during the Great Depression, we were experiencing the Great Recession.  How encouraging it was to read that the sales of R.G.’s business grew in dramatic ways during the years of the Great Depression.

About half way through the book I realized that the life lessons of R.G. were lessons we all need to learn.  I contacted the publisher, Moody Publishers, and asked for permission to extensively quote the autobiography.  They agreed, and so I created a study guide for the book.  Each question in the study guide is linked by page number to the autobiography.

You can learn more about the study guide at http://www.wisdomcriesout.com/.  Just click on the button labeled “Partnering with God.”

Same Parable, Different Perspectives

The “beta” version of “The Parables of Jesus: A New Perspective” will be released this week.  We will be using this new study guide in our Sunday School class.  And, we will be making corrections as we study, in preparation for the “First Edition.”

One of the things we really stress in the study guide is looking at the parables from many different points-of-view.  Most of the parables were spoken in the midst of a crowd.  Different people in the audience would have heard the parables from different viewpoints.

For instance, take the parable which is often called, “The Prodigal Son.”  There is no question that the younger son is a main character in the story.  For those who focus on the younger son’s role, the story is a warning about squandering money, fast living, and the consequences of sin. 

But, what about those who see these events through the eyes of the father?  For them the story is one of heartbreak, unconditional love, forgiveness, restoration, and hope.

What if there were servants in the crowd who heard Jesus teach this parable?  What do you think they would have focused on that may be different from our traditional, modern interpretation?

Studying the Parables

As mentioned in the very first post (February 14), we are working on a new study based on the parables of Jesus.  We are taking a somewhat different approach to the parables and hope to share some new insights into the parables.

In this post I want to give a little background on our approach.  Each parable has a physical or natural element.  For instance, it really does help to build on a solid foundation, rather than sand.  When the literal storms arise you need protection from the flooding waters.

Next, the parables also have a spiritual or eternal component.  A solid foundation for life is to obey the teachings of Jesus.  When the storms of life gather, you need protection from doubt, discouragement, and hopelessness.

In our study guide we are also going to consider the kingdom aspect of the parables.  These lessons taught by Jesus helped prepare His disciples for a major change in God’s work on earth.

Up to this time God’s people was the Nation of Israel.  After the death and resurrection of Jesus, God’s work on earth would be through the church.  As Jesus prepared His followers for this change He used parables to help them be prepared.

What was the change in the parable of the solid foundation?  Before this time the people had the Law, the Prophets, books of History, and books of Poetry.  Jesus made it clear that those building a solid foundation would be “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them.”  (Luke 6:47)

This is just one simple example of how we can see Jesus preparing His disciples to be leaders, followers, and workers in the coming Kingdom of God.

Afflicted, but not crushed

Just a few more thoughts about the “Lone Survivor,” written by Marcus Luttrell. 

As his story continued, after his capture/rescue by the tribesmen, he was taken to their village.  They cared for him in a small house.  He was safe with them through the tribal law of Lokhay, as mentioned in the previous post.

However, the Taliban were still searching for him with a vengeance.  Unknown to Marcus, they had surrounded the village.

 “I opened my eyes in time to see eight armed Taliban fighters come barging into the room.  The first one came straight over to my cot and slapped me across the face with all his force.”  (p. 926)

Over the next six hours the Taliban fighters viciously beat Marcus while demanding information.  And, yet, they did not remove him from the house or from the village.

Eventually an elder of the village entered the room and spoke with the Taliban fighters.  Marcus later found out that this man was the chief of several villages in that area.

“I was not certain what he was saying, but I found out later he was forbidding them to take me away.”  (p. 939)

The Taliban left after the village leader told them they could not take Marcus.  The power of Lokhay saved his life.  For the next several days the Taliban fighters maintained a watch on the villages.  They threatened and tried to intimidate the villagers.  They even entered the village again, but never caused Marcus any more harm.

Some people believe that once you “become a Christian” all of your troubles are over.  They expect a blessed life without any struggles.  Jesus himself said that there would be troubles while we are on earth.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)

Even though Jesus is the “village chief,” there will still be times when our enemies attack, discourage, try to defeat us.  There will be times when the enemy surrounds us and demands our surrender.  It’s times like these that we have confidence in our Lokhay with God.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.”  (1 Peter 5:6-11)

Book quotes from “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell, iPhone version.  Bible quotes from NASB.

God's Lokhay

Two weeks ago I finished reading “Lone Survivor” a book about a Navy SEAL operation in Afghanistan.  After being inserted into a remote mountainous region, the four man team was attacked by a large force of Taliban fighters.  Three of the men were killed, while a fourth was pursued relentlessly for many hours.

The “Lone Survivor,” Marcus Luttrell, was severely wounded, dehydrated, and emotionally drained when he spotted three men approaching him carrying rifles.

“The guy behind the tree was now back out in the open and still yelling at me, standing there with his rifle lowered, I guessed demanding my surrender.  But I couldn’t even do that.  I just knew that I desperately needed help or I was going to bleed to death.  Then I did what I never thought I would do in the whole of my career.  I lowered my rifle.  Defeated.”  (p. 889)

Instead of being captured by the Taliban, the Navy SEAL was taken to a nearby village.  According to the historic Pashtun-walai tribal law Marcus was not their prisoner, but instead, he was their guest.  Their tribal law, known as lokhay warkawal, demanded that they protect their guest at all costs.

“Lokhay means the population of that village will fight to the last man, honor-bound to protect the individual they have invited in to share their hospitality.”  (p. 92)

In this amazing story I see some interesting parallels to our relationship with God.

First, we were trespassing in God’s territory.  “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.”  (Ephesians 2:1)

Second, God lowered His “rifle” first, while we were still hostile.  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8)

Third, God willing welcomes us into his village.  “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.”  (John 14:3)

And, finally, God has promised to protect us for eternity.  His honor demands that He protect us from our enemy.  “I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.”  (John 10:28)

Book quotes from “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell, iPhone version.  Bible quotes from NASB.