Taking for Granted

      A few days ago I was thinking about the expression “to take for granted”. Here are some explanations of that phrase by several different persons that I found:

“When you take someone for granted, it basically means that you know that you have them and feel like they will always be with you and belong to you. You accept it like it's the only way for them, to stay with you - no real sense of appreciation.”

“It means they just expect stuff from you that maybe you do not even expect from yourself. They think you guys are going to do something, but you never even wanted to do it.”

“It means that your using them for your own selfish needs and don't do the same back... like when you know someone would do something for you so you call them and get them to do it... you taking them for granted: pretty much the relationship is not equal.”

“Taking someone for granted is not appreciating or maybe even noticing the things that person does for you, or how they positively benefit your life.”
      “And simply assuming that person will continue to do those things, without any reciprocation or thanks from you.”

“When someone doesn't appreciate something that they need like they should, they're taking it for granted. It's an assumption on their part that it will be there and continue to be there without any consequence.”

“It means having something, or someone, and not really knowing how good it is. You just kind of ignore the fact that you have it, even though it would be important to you if you lost it.”

Most of these are on track with the way dictionaries handle the expression:

“…to expect someone or something to be always available to serve in some way without thanks or recognition; to value someone or something too lightly.”

      “… to not show that you are grateful to someone for helping you or that you are happy they are with you, often because they have helped you or been with you so often.”

      “… to fail to appreciate someone. When your own children are growing up, you tend to take them for granted, and then, suddenly, they are grown up. Politicians seem to take voters for granted, except when they face a serious challenge. Usage notes: usually said about someone who is not appreciated because you think they will always be available.”

      “… To give little attention to or to underestimate the value of, to fail to appreciate. Usually the epiphany of having taking something for granted comes after it is already gone.”

“… To expect someone or something to be always available to serve in some way without thanks or recognition; to value someone or something too lightly.”

            “Taking for granted” goes in one of two directions. It can involve things or it can involve persons. My own life is full of things that I take for granted. Visits to countries where the things I enjoy every day are rare or uncommon or absent… remind me of how much I take for granted things like plumbing (hot running water, clean water), electricity (the switch always works), technology,… virtually any machine or object that works for me (car, school bus, telephone, refrigerator, etc.). It is when they don’t work – or don’t work right – that I realize their value, and that in the end, that nothing lasts forever.

            It’s the second direction that I need to be more careful to give attention to. No one I know likes to be taken for granted. To be unappreciated hurts our feelings. To be the object of presumption makes one feel used. Presumption is when I assume that something is “so” in our relationship, when it isn’t “so”. Relationships are a place where taking for granted is most dangerous. And the longer or closer the relationship is, the more dangerous taking for granted is. Most of us take a lot for granted in our families. It’s quite common. Kids especially do it with their parents. But it can also be true of parents. Husbands and wives do well to be so careful to avoid taking one another for granted, yet it is a common hazard in marriage. Getting used to someone and living so close to someone for so long can lead you to feel that what your spouse does… s/he will always do, s/he should do, and that s/he should be happy to continue doing it. But when “it” is gone – for any reason – we realize how much it (or really the person) meant. And we just thought s/he would always be there, or that things would never change. We took it for granted.

            It is a real gift and discipline – in all of our relationships – to not take people for granted. It is a blessing to them not to depersonalize them… not to objectify them… but to love, appreciate, and affirm them. Life is short. Our time together really isn’t all that long. Let us not take for granted the persons God has brought us into relationship with, and let us not take for granted one another in the Body of Christ. Jesus said that even a cup of cold water given as His disciple will result in a reward. How much more than that can we observe being done in the day to day life we share together in Christ. Jesus doesn’t take it for granted. So let us to be careful in our love for one another to be like Christ in this way.

Matthew 10:42 (NIV) ⁴²  And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

PRAYER:  Father, you have generously brought many people into my life. Lead me to appreciate them, and to be thankful to you for them. And lead me to live in gratitude to you for all of the things you have given and all of your blessings. Lead me to be a good steward of all that is yours. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

The Son Shines Through

      Yesterday afternoon I was working at our dining room table in the afternoon. While working I was listening to the Beach Boys. The sunshine coming through the exterior doors was extremely enjoyable and dreaming about a beach someplace was a nice distraction. The sun’s reflection off the snow was bright to the eyes, but the best part was the warmth. It’s like that feeling on a cold day when you get into a car parked in direct sunlight. It’s cozy and warm inside: a real relief from the bitter air between the building you’re coming from and the inside of the vehicle. Just inside that dining room window felt so warm. I usually shovel off my deck, but it was still covered with the weekend snow just on the other side of the glass door. By the time I had done everything else on Sunday, I was so disgusted that I didn’t want to have anything to do with the deck. Maybe I’ll just wait until warmer weather melts it away. It was nice to be on the inside looking out. It was nice to be on the receiving end of what happened to the sunlight as it shone through the glass. The sun was the ultimate source of the light and warmth, but as it shone through the glass, its impact was experienced so much more directly and personally.

Perhaps as Christians we are a little bit like that window glass. We are not the source of any light or warmth, but the Holy Spirit dwells within us, and the life of Christ “shines” through us. The life of Christ transforms us, but it also has an impact on those beyond us. It’s not that we “glow” or anything hokey like that. But the presence of Christ is recognizable in us. People experience Christ in us and that should have an impact. Is it possible, in a certain way, to say that people “feel” Christ through us? Whether it is our joyful perseverance through trial, the humility that characterizes us, attitudes that stand out in contrast to the world around us, our generosity toward people, or good works that God has prepared for us to do, Christ’s “shining” through us will be a blessing to others. The more we stand in His light (His presence), the more opportunities we will find to be “conduits” of His love, grace, and peace. It’s a privilege to be used by Him in such a way.

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) ¹⁴  "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Psalm 4:4 (NIV) ⁴  In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah

Psalm 37:6 (NIV) ⁶  He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Psalm 118:27-28 (NIV) ²⁷  The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. ²⁸  You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Luke 1:76-80 (NIV) (Zachariah’s praise for the son of his old age, John the Baptist) ⁷⁶  And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, ⁷⁷  to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, ⁷⁸  because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven ⁷⁹  to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." ⁸⁰  And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

2 Corinthians 4:5-6 (NIV) ⁵  For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. ⁶  For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

PRAYER:  Father, it’s a wonderful thing when people look at me and think of Jesus. I want that to happen more. Lead me into your Word and into your presence more and more, so that Christ may shine through me in ways that will bless others. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

It Won't Be Missed?

      “That’s not supposed to be there!” I said these words last week when Linda, our church treasurer, asked me about a charge on our church credit card in the amount of $9.84 and dated December 21. I was trying to figure out and recall what I had charged that day when I remembered it was the day my daughter got married. I had done no shopping on that day. I took the letters from the charge on the church credit card statement and Googled them. Up came a plethora of sites indicating fraud – either directly or indirectly connected to the breach of information on accounts used at Target stores. Someone was trying to steal from us… probably a small amount at first, and who knows how much later. Well, that card had to be destroyed and replaced: hopefully little or no harm done. We can deal with a small inconvenience.

But it’s not a good feeling to be ripped off. When someone steals from you or cheats you, you feel slighted, demeaned, angry, sometimes foolish, annoyed, and at times, fearful. It’s like someone entered your privacy and violated you. The greater the loss, the greater the feeling of violation. And if the perpetrator is known to you, there is a violation of trust and a brokenness that is difficult to mend, accompanied by sadness as well.

The worst thing about stealing is that it is a violation of love. A positive way to say the 8^th commandment (“Thou shalt not steal.”) might be to say… “You shall love your neighbor!” Love for a neighbor leaves no room for harm (even the least amount of harm) to your neighbor. Whether it is information, property, money, or anything of a personal nature, that which belongs to your “neighbor”… belongs to your neighbor. For the worker in the office, the neighbor is the company. For the young man in school, the neighbor is his peer. For the citizen of a country, the neighbor could be one whom his taxes assist. The “neighbor” could be a family member or work associate. We have many neighbors.

Disciples of Jesus Christ are called to integrity in all their ways, and we are called by our Master to love our neighbor as ourselves. As in many instances in life, it can be the “little things” that trip us up: “I need a stamp to send this card. I’ll just grab one from the office desk. It’s just a few cents. It won’t be missed.” The “little” things somehow don’t seem to matter as much. “I just won’t report that gift I received. It was just a couple of hundred dollars. It won’t be missed.” “I’ll take pay for that work I didn’t do. It won’t be missed.” “I’ll just take that roll of toilet paper. It won’t be missed.” The list of possibilities is almost endless.

I don’t like to think of these things in legalistic ways. It’s not a matter of “keeping score” to see if we merit entrance into heaven or gain (in our own strength) God’s favor. If that is what it is about, we’ve already lost. It always comes back to love. As a follower of Jesus, I want to guard my thoughts and actions so that they are motivated by love. The choices I make in the Spirit communicate two very important things: to my neighbor they communicate “I love you.” To God, they communicate “I trust You.” (as well as “I love You.”). If “the Lord is my Shepherd” and “I have everything I need” (“I shall not want”) then I can rest in Him. I can trust Him. I do not need to take things into my own hands, and meet my needs (big or small) dishonestly. Because I can, and do, trust Him. Unbelief is the root of the sin of stealing, even stealing from God. God once accused His own people of stealing from Him. How can anyone steal from God, who possesses infinitely everything there is? Yet in Malachi God says those who hold back their tithes from Him are stealing from Him. That will give you a start if you hear it and pay attention to it. In that passage, something belongs to God, and people are keeping it for themselves. It’s not too different from what Ananias and Saphhira do in Acts 5. If you know what it is like to be stolen from, consider how God feels, as every theft – major and minor – is ultimately a sin against Him. Consider the grace of Christ, which led Him to the cross to shed His blood for those sins. It definitely is amazing grace.

May we guard our ways, and may the goal of our hearts be to be above reproach in this matter. May the motivation of our hearts be true love for neighbor, and absolute trust in the Lord, as the Holy Spirit fills us. May we repent of any lack of love or lack of trust, and experience the fullness of God’s peace and joy. AMEN.

Luke 6:31 (NIV) ³¹  Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV) ³⁷  Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' ³⁸  This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' ⁴⁰  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Malachi 3:8-10 (NIV) ⁸  "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. ⁹  You are under a curse--the whole nation of you--because you are robbing me. ¹⁰  Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Psalm 23:1 (NIV) ¹  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

PRAYER:  Lord God, it is so easy to point the finger at the Bernie Madoff’s of our age and think that stealing is not our problem. Help us not to think little of anything that is significant to you. If there is any wicked way in me, you see it. Give me grace to repent, that my life – from the motives of my heart to the actions I engage in – may be pure in your sight. Thank you for your forgiveness of sin in this area of life. Thank you for the blood of Jesus, which cleanses from all. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

What's That in My Hand?

      The Lord put a thought in my mind on Sunday morning at our worship service when I was praying before the offering was received. So I ended up praying it. The thought was simple, but it hit me later as being pregnant with implications for my life and my relationship with Him. The thought was simply that every penny -  every piece of money that I have ever held in my hand – came from the Lord. And not only that… but also that it belonged to the Lord. That simple thought begs the question, “What have I done with what belongs to the Lord?” If you take some time to ponder that, other thoughts come into your head, such as, “I’ve really had a lot of money “in my hand” – maybe not all at once, but gift after gift, paycheck after paycheck, year after year.”… and “I wonder how much of what I have held in my hand was used for myself, and how much was used for others?”… and “God is amazingly generous.”… and “Does God consider me to be someone who has been ‘rich toward Him’?” You may end up with other thoughts and questions if you take time to think about what has been in your hand over your lifetime. I hope you experience the joy of the Lord when you do. For me, part of the joy has been to be able to confess to the Lord my selfishness and to experience God’s forgiveness. I have many attitudes and practices to repent of, but I am thankful that joy is at the end of all true repentance in my life.

Recently I met with seven folks who want to think about membership in First Baptist Church. I have been moving away from a “classroom” setting for membership preparation to a “self-study” approach. As part of that, I have begun to assign the reading of a book by Randy Alcorn called The Treasure Principle. It’s a small book. It’s one of those…”a day to read, a lifetime to master” books. It’s not a difficult read. The treasure principle itself is simple: “You can’t take it with you  but you can send it on ahead.” But the practice of this principle is a key part of our discipleship, surrender, and growth in Christ, which will be a process in our experience until we draw our last breath. Alcorn gives six keys to unlocking this principle: 1) God owns everything. I’m His money manager. 2) My heart always goes where I put God’s money. 3) Heaven, not earth, is my home. 4) I should not live for the dot (this life alone) but for the line (eternity). 5) Giving is the only antidote to materialism. 6) God promises me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving. Alcorn unpacks these in a very helpful way for the reader.

We have made this book available to our church in the past. If you still have the copy that was given out a few years ago, I encourage you to find it and to read it again. Actually, I think an annual re-reading would be a great blessing to any of us. When I read it before giving it to these prospective members, I did so in order to prepare a short study guide. When you’re doing something like that, you tend to look a little closer and think a little deeper. In doing so, the Lord reminded me of things which I needed to hear again. If anyone would like to have a copy of the study guide, let me know and I will give/send it to you.

For some believers, the wallet is the last thing to be “baptized”. I remember reading about how in the Middle Ages some “converts” (soldiers) were baptized, but held their sword in a hand that was not immersed. It was as if they felt they could leave a part of their lives un-surrendered to the Lord. I’ve seen a couple versions of the story, so I am not sure if it purely historical. Nevertheless, the image is quite vivid, isn’t it? As Christ is being formed in us, will He allow us to hold anything back from Him? What joy and happiness is missed when we clutch our hands around what God puts in them, instead of releasing it to Him? I think the answer is… “Much, much more than we realize.”

Martin Luther once said, “I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them all. But whatever I have placed in God’s hands, that I still possess.” What a plan for joy Jesus has for His disciples! I pray for eyes to see it… to see it clearly and to embrace it eagerly.

Acts 20:35 (NIV) ³⁵  In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

 Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) ¹⁹  "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

PRAYER:  O Father, thank you for each and every penny that you have placed in my hand. Please forgive me for the misuse or waste of what belongs to you. Shape my thinking and behavior more and more toward generosity. Teach me where real joy is, and lead me to it. I do not want to miss out on the joy. Thanks.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott