Smitty was a hard-headed farmer. When a flood hit the area, he climbed onto the roof of his house. A rescue boat came along but Smitty told them, “No, thanks. I have faith in the Lord. He will save me.
The waves got even higher and Smitty had to go to the very top of the roof. Another boat came by to save him, but he still insisted that the Lord would save him.
Then the water began to get his feet wet and a helicopter swooped down to take him away. But Smitty still depended on the Lord to save him.
Well, you can easily imagine what happened. Yes. Smitty was drowned.
When he stood before the Lord in the next world, he complained, “Lord, I had such faith in you. Why didn’t you save me?” To which the Lord replied, “What more did you want me to do? I sent you two boats and a helicopter.”
“It is by his actions that a man is put right with God, and not by his faith alone” (James 2: 24)
When I was living in Hawaii I would visit the University of the Nations, run by YWAM, Youth With a Mission, which is part church and part missionary training. You buy a couple of weeks of training and then you pay for the privilage of going with a YWAM group leader to some 3rd world place and you prosetilize…then you go home. It’s good and bad, some might call it a con others call it a great opportunity for lay people to become missionaries for a short time.
This is the same YWAM we have locally at Richardson Springs.
Anyway, back to my story…while hanging around with those folks (I had 2 good friends there) I came to know an older lady (mid 60’s) and her daughter, who was at that time in her mid forties. These were very nice people, but as naive as they come. They lived on the campus in one of the very modest Misionary apartments.
They had freely given all their money over to YWAM and they had all the confidence in the world that God would provide for their every need.
Unfortunately YWAM had made no such bargain. They told them since they were not needed on any projects or staff, they were basically excess baggage that they (YWAM) didn’t care to carry anymore. They were to be evicted if they didn’t get out. They had to find somewhere else to live and take care of themselves.
The Mother and daughter were extremely religious, both idealistic, trusting, true believers to a fault and now the unthinkable had happened. They were destitute, I mean broke and without a cent to their name.
I suppose the daughter was capable of working, but she seemed like one of these helpless women that had never worked in her life. Totally clueless how to survive.
They had spent the last few years depending on the church for their needs as they donated heavily to God via YWAM. Prior to that the husband and father was the provider..he was deceased.
The reality of their desperate situation was just starting to set in when I had to return to the mainland and I never knew what happened to them. But, what was most important to this story was they had foolishly set themselves up for disaster and they are hardly alone. I’ve known a lot of Christians who have said in a moment of dire need, “I’m turning it all over to God…He will provide!” Oh BS…my thought was God helps those who help them themselves! There’s something in the Bible about people who won’t work and the Bible says then neither shall they eat! That pretty much sums it up and it’s how I feel. I thought this was a great article and maybe it will wake up some of these overly nice and overly trusting types that think almost delusionally about God managing every little detail in their life for them.
The bible is full of similar stories, and one of the hardest things to do is figuring out what is Gods will and what is mans. We will all go through valleys of deep despair, but we will also have times of joy from the tops of mountains.
While Im no expert on the bible, the story of Moses comes to mind. God commanded him to lead His people out of bondage in Egypt to the Promised Land. Moses is considered one of the most humble believers because He trusted in God, and he had to have faith enough to take that first step. He doubted and questioned what was being asked of him, but he did do what was asked. His reward was the Israelites made it to the promised land, but he didnt.
Most if not all of us have had similar situation weve had to deal with because of an individual, a group or even a church. I married a man who professed to be a Christian, but turned out to be one in name only while wearing a Christian cloak to hide what lay beneath. During my divorce I saw a minister and his wife on TV who had lost everything to Madoff say, He had lost his faith in mankind but his faith in God was still strong. While I had lost about half of what I had worked my life for I was grateful that it wasnt everything and knew I would be ok. Yes, I prayed and trusted in God, but knew I too had to take the necessary steps for my spiritual and financial well being.
As a very wise man several years ago said, Trust but verify. These words should be upper most in all we do, even with God. Its ok to ask Him, God are you sure? And to take that step only when you know its the right thing to do. If something doesnt pass the smell test, walk away. He is also a forgiving and understanding Father.
The verse that brought me comfort, during my time in that valley, to know I had someone to protect, love and provide for me was, The widows prayer. Isaiah 54: 5, For your Maker is your husband the LORD Almighty is his name.
Life is good again and I know I wont be alone when I go into another valley.
Excellent Peggy…thank you.
“Oh BS…my thought was God helps those who help them themselves!”
Too bad that is not what the bible says.
Look at the birds of the air. They neither sew nor reap nor gather into barns but your heavenly Father takes care of them. Are you not more valuable than them?
Just to be clear, you are saying the opposite of what Jesus said, but then again, this is Post Scripts, so maybe there is a story behind the story.
Mark, I am soooo glad you brought this up, it happens to be one of my favorite topics. Let’s debate! Mark you have mistakenly taken a Bible quote out of context. It happens all the time, so I’m not really faulting you, but I want to clarify what was really said and its real intent. And I’m far from any Bible scholar, but I did go to Sunday school and this one I just happen to know. Your quote comes from Mathew 6:25-34 and Jesus is telling his flock not to worry because worrying won’t change anything. This sermon is referred to as God’s providence. ” Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing?” Jesus is not saying don’t work, don’t try, don’t apply yourself. He’s saying, look people, everything you have comes from God and He has given you everything you need to make a go of it. Yes, trust in God and He will provide, so go use His resources that He has given you! Said another way, he’s telling us God ‘created’ all aspects of Creation and they are here for you no matter what may come your way.
Jesus also says, “But first seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble”
Mark, the virtues of hard work is one of the most often repeated themes in the Bible. “Be diligent and hard-working (Proverbs 14:23). Do not be lazy. (1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; Proverbs 6:6-11; 12:24,27; 15:19; Ecclesiastes 11:6; Titus 3:14).
The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “If a man will not work, then he shall not eat.”
Jack (I assume), you also make the mistake of confusing the teaching of jesus with the teachings of Paul.
Jesus said don’t worry. Paul said work hard.
Why the difference?
Mark, no mistake here. I separated the two. I was trying to make two points. The value of hard work (Paul, et al ) and I quoted Jesus, in the providence sermon.
But, one could argue it is all the inspired word of God, it’s all one source….I think that might be an easy cop out so I won’t go there. : )