Devotion of the Day

Give God The Macedonian

The churches of Macedonia….first gave their own selves to the Lord.
II Corinthians 8:1, 5

We have money in the church today but not many Macedonians. People give their substance but not their selves. Fine churches are built, workers are employed, and the members show up on Sunday morning, but never dream of living for God seven days a week. Actually, every Christian is meant to be in full-time Christian service, whether he draws a salary for it or not. Jesus paid it all and all to Him we owe.

Silver and gold we have a plenty, but we are not saying to a crippled world, “Rise and walk.”

Expensive edifices built with “vain oblation”-gifts without the givers-cannot substitute for giving God the temples of our bodies and hearts. Modern Macedonians give money, but the early Macedonians first gave God the Macedonians! The Early Church was all lay witnesses. Too often now it is big business run by a salaried staff paid to do church work, while the rest of us work for ourselves. But we are all on the staff, and no matter how faithfully salaried helpers may work, they cannot do our job nor can we do ours merely by paying them. God wants the Macedonian first.

Quote of the Day

Some have dramatic conversion experiences. Others cannot name the day and hour, but they came to Christ in early years without great excitement. These people sometimes are upset when in later life they hear some ex-convict relate a vivid conversion. Some, like Mr. Fearing in Pilgrim’s Progress, are all their lives afraid that they will not get to heaven. Says Alexander MacLaren: “There are none so far away from false confidence as those who tremble lest they be cherishing it.” And dear Alexander Whyte wrote to a troubles soul “Act faith if you do not feel it…..Throw yourself in His direction, even though you cannot reach Him….He does not say ‘See’…He only says ‘Look’….that is all you have to do with, He will take care of the rest….It is very simple-keep looking; He will take care of the seeing.” Christians of robust and rugged constitution have little patience with Mr. Fearing, and indeed he should not be afraid. But many dear souls are and they do not need a harsh “Snap out of It!” so much as the gentle counsel of that Scottish giant with the tender soul.