Succeeding at Work but Failing at Home

Scripture: Why then do you scorn my sacrifices and my offerings that I commanded, and honor your sons above me by fattening yourselves on the choicest parts of every offering of my people Israel?’ 1 Samuel 2:29

Observation: Eli is a priest, and from his interactions with young Samuel, he appears to be a godly and wise one. Yet in his influence with his own sons, he is a failure. His sons, who serve in the ministry, are consumed with greed and immorality. They abuse their power. While we want to be careful about holding parents responsible for all their children’s’ actions. In this case, God does hold Eli accountable. God promises to dishonor Eli and his sons and eventually put them to death. In this situation, Eli was able to be an influence for good among other children, but not his own. He was good at work but a failure at home.

Application: As a pastor, I have the opportunity to influence others. On the recent Boquillas trip, I had the opportunity to spend time with and influence the children of others. But the lesson of Eli to me today is: your kids are your priority. Eli helped Samuel listen and follow God, but was unable to lead his sons to do the same. I do not want that to be my legacy. “He led others, but failed with his own family.” It can be easy for me to get home and go “off the clock.” But my main ministry is among my own family.

Prayer: God, help me to learn how to lead my own kids. I pray to day they will honor you and grow in love for you. Show me ways I can lead them, even tonight.

Counting the Cost

Scripture: For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish. Luke 14:28-30

Observation: Jesus is calling people to consider carefully the cost of following him. He is asking them to evaluate their devotion to family, friends, even their own lives. Following Jesus is not a hasty endeavor, but something to be entered into with much pause.

Application: But this is so different from the gospel approach we have today. The focus is more on not considering the cost, but jumping in with both feet. I encourage people to get right with God and let discipleship sort itself out later. I just want to get them saved. But how much should people consider before they commit to Christ? Knowing that the Christian life is fueled by Spirit power and not willpower, how much *can* they commit before they come to Christ? I would hate to artificially raise the bar of salvation, and keep someone out that I deem has not considered the cost. At the same time, I do not want to promote false confession or give false sense of assurance to those who never really committed in the first place.

Prayer: God, this is a troubling passage. Would you help me see the balance of “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved,” and “count the cost”? I want to promote Your gospel, not my version of it.

Where Most Discipleship Methods Get it Wrong.

Scripture: So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

Observation: Probably the most used-out-of-context quote in the whole bible—“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” We apply it to knowledge and education. As if the key to freedom and enlightenment is more knowledge. But Jesus in the previous verse explains how we know the truth. Is it through studying? Is it through education? Is it through lectures or sermons or reading? No. The way to know the truth that sets you free is to abide in God’s word. This means to believe in and obey the word of God. Faith and obedience unlock truth.

Application: Some discipleship methods seem to focus on knowing the word. Memorizing, studying, etc. But true disciples of Jesus are not knowers of the word only, but doers. Of course I must have some level of study to know God’s word. But the key—as always with Jesus—is that I believe in and act upon the word that I hear. Then I will be his disciple, then I will know the truth, then I will be set free.
Do I know the truth? That is nice. Do I believe and obey the truth? That is a disciple.

Prayer: Lord, let me continue to fight for application of your word. Even as I meet with someone today to talk about discipleship, let me focus on believing in and obeying your word as the key to discipleship.