SCRIP-BITS

Job 22:2.    Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
 
Oh Friends, the weather forecasters predict another glorious day in the offing in my neck of the woods! But in truth, everyday on God’s beautiful and bountiful earth is a glorious one for all believers!
 
That’s because we have the LOVE of Jesus buried deep in our hearts. A LOVE made manifest by His sacrificial death on the cross at Calvary to pay our sin debt once and for all time.
 
And all God’s people gave a mighty joy-filled shout: ‘Praise the Lord and magnify the Holy Name of Jesus, for He was obedient to the Father’s will; obedient even unto death on the cross!’
 
Yes Friends, although Jesus was a part of the triune God-head, He humbled Himself and became a servant, not putting on the foolish airs and graces that so many of us like to put on to feel important, to impress our fellow man. Let’s sincerely hope and pray that we don’t fall into that pattern of pride and futility, otherwise, in the long run, we’ll be very sorry.
 
That brings us to our Bit: ‘Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?’
 
That is Job’s supposed friend Eliphaz, getting ready to blast him with serious accusations of sin, that he believes ultimately caused Job’s downfall. And he continues into the next verse: ‘Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect (blameless)?’ (Job 22:3)
 
Technically speaking Friends, the answer to Eliphaz’s questions are all NO. For though the Lord wants us to be upright, all our righteousness, wisdom and otherwise make absolutely no difference to God’s status or stature. All those things are provided for our benefit, not God’s.  He’s Jehovah Jireh, the Provider! He needs nothing from us to keep on being who He is.
 
Now listen to how Jesus puts it, when talking to the disciples about the duties of a servant. ‘But which of you, having a servant ploughing or feeding cattle (tending sheep), will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat (eat)? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup (something for me to eat), and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
 
Doth he thank the servant because he did those things that were commanded him? I trow (think) not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded of you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.’ (Luke 17:7-10) 
 
Yes my brethren, a servant’s duty is to do his master’s bidding. And since Jesus is our Lord and Saviour, we ought to do as He commands, otherwise we’re not true followers of His.
 
And I like how the scholars explain those verses. ’17:7-10: Contrary to folk wisdom of the day (and now), Jesus is clear that human obedience to God does not put God in debt to man. Jesus here gives a succinct picture of the attitude that should underlie our service to God. Otherwise we’re mere hirelings. Contrast Jesus’ teaching with the reasoning in 18:12.’ 
 
Oh Friends, ours is to do the will of God, not to be proud and haughty as we see in chapter 18, where Jesus tells the parable of two men, a Pharisee and a publican praying in the temple.
 
‘The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican (tax collector). I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican (tax collector), standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon (beat) his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
 
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.’ (Luke 18:10-14)  
 
And my people, we see that eternal truth in the last verse totally confirmed in the person of Jesus, as Bruh Paul so eloquently writes to the Philippians. ‘Let this mind be in you (constantly maintain this attitude), which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
 
And being found in the fashion  (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things (those) in heaven, and things (those) in earth, and things (those) under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:5-11) 
 
Ah mih people, please let that be a lesson to us, to be humble, unto serving Almighty God, and not be carried away by the pomp, pride and prejudice of this foolish, evil, ungodly world. Because in due time, if we faint not, but remain steadfast and true, our heavenly Father will raise us up, just like He did Jesus, and exalt us much much more than our fellow earthlings are able to do.
 
As heirs with Christ, thus children of God, only the best will be laid out for us on that fateful day, when we see the Father face to face. That’s His promise to all faithful servants. And we know that He keeps ALL His promises. So take care, stand strong and tall in His name, but don’t let foolish pride drive us away from Him. That’s wisdom at its highest. Much LOVE!
 
…a man can only come to the Father through Jesus…and then he needs a humble and contrite heart to get an audience…