Category: Devotion of the Day

Devotion of the Day

“Get” or “Give”?

Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Matthew 19:27.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
Acts 3:6.

A lot of water had run under the bridge in Peter’s experience between these verses. Too many disciples are out for what they can get instead of what they can give. “What do I get out of church, what is there in the Christian life for me?” Church members too often expect service and never think of giving it.

Peter had no money to offer but he performed a miracle. The church today no longer says, “Silver and gold have I none,” but neither can she say, “Rise and walk.” Men, money, movements, there are aplenty but few miracles. And there will be none until the Getters become Givers.

Have you moved from “What do I get?” to “What can I give?”

The daily devotions are from Day by Day by Vance Havner. Fleming H. Revell Company, 1953.

Devotion of the Day

What Lack I Yet?

What lack I yet?
Matthew 19:20.

The rich young ruler had morals, manners and money. He would be welcomed readily into many churches today, with no questions asked. He would make a good “joiner,” but he would be a poor disciple.

Salvation is free but discipleship costs everything. Somehow, we have utterly lost sight of our Saviour’s drastic and often severe challenges to prospective disciples. Letting the dead bury the dead, denying self, hating loved ones, putting the hand to the plow—He used terms that demanded absolute obedience and unquestionable loyalty. Today we have tempered all this down and removed its sharp edge and have gathered a host of indifferent “joiners” who have not the faintest idea of what it means to “sell out” for Christ.

Jesus lost this prospect. The young man went away. Why didn’t our Lord take him on milder terms and later lead him into complete surrender? That is our techniques today, but Jesus was out for disciples, not “joiners.”

“What lack I yet?” Here is the painful lack in our churches, because it is the lack of so many of their members.

The daily devotions are from Day by Day by Vance Havner. Fleming H. Revell Company, 1953.