Our Actions Matter

Verse of the day: 1 Samuel 2:17, Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

The sons of Eli, who God referred to in His Word as “sons of Belial”, were corrupt priests. Their actions remind me of today’s modern day preachers who use the ministry for their own profit. In verses 13-16 we read that Eli’s sons, because of their greed, cheated both God and the people when offerings were brought to them for worship. The first portion of whatever was brought belonged to God. Yet, in verse 15 they commanded the people to give them the raw meat, rather than take of the portion that was allotted to the priests by the Law, as was commanded by God (Leviticus 6-7). This may seem like a small thing, but the reason this was so sinful was that the fat was considered to be the best part of the animal, and when burned, it was a sacrifice unto God. In other words, the best part of the sacrifice, of the offering, belonged to God. These wretched men were keeping it for themselves, and it is quite possible that they wanted the raw portion so they could resell it and make a profit. We also see that they did not take of the proper portion as prescribed by God’s Law, but instead took whatever they could with the fleshhooks, to include the portion that would have been given back to the one bringing the offering. These men, because of their greed, became so corrupt that they resorted to violence, if needed, to get what they wanted (v. 16). Their behavior resulted in the people despising the act of giving which, even today, is a great part of our worship. Giving to the Lord is a great part of our faith. It is the one area that truly tests whether or not we trust God. Today, many people, because they have put their eyes on corrupt men, corrupt preachers, rather than keep their eyes on the Lord, have used these men as an excuse not to give to the local church or support ministries. Although these men have committed a great sin by discouraging the people from doing what they were called to do in worship, they committed an even greater sin because the sin was really against God Himself. They caused the people to rob God because of their own theft of what belonged to Him. We, as God’s children, can sin in many ways against others, but the greatest implication of our sin is that we sin against God. Joseph, when faced with fornicating with Potiphar’s wife, chose to flee from her advances. What made this so honorable was not that he fled from temptation and avoided the sin. What made his actions so honorable was what was in his heart when he fled. In Genesis 39:9, Joseph said this to Potiphar’s wife, “There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” The actions of Eli’s sons were so grievous because their sin was really against God, and they caused others to sin against God. Those who discourage us from giving to the Lord, as we should, will ultimately answer for their actions before the Lord. That being said, each of us who use these men as excuses to hold back from God what belongs to God will suffer our own consequences for our actions. No one will escape. As children of God, there is a greater lesson to draw from this. We are supposed to be ambassadors for Christ while here on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). That being said, I will ask a question. What do our actions, words, and deeds, say to others about Christianity? Do we encourage others to consider a relationship with Christ by the way we treat them, by how kind and generous we are, or do our actions and attitudes cause others to despise Christ and Christianity? Does our lack of giving, of self, and what God has blessed us with, discourage other Christians from giving to God? Have we allowed the actions of others to discourage us? Have we put our eyes on men, rather than keep our eyes on Jesus? Let us be careful to live out our Christianity in such a way that others would be encouraged to give to the Lord and desire what we have in Christ. Philippians 2:12-16 puts it best, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).