Truth Magazine

By William R. John

If a discotheque atmosphere means more to you than a pleasurable trip with your parents; Or if the sound of a “hot rod” or motorcycle soothes you more than the sound of your mothers kiss upon your cheek; Or if the quivering voice of some singing idol and the twang of a guitar makes you feel better than your dad telling you he loves you, Or if the peace symbol, mini-skirt, or bell bottom trousers “turn you on” more than the reading of the 26th and 27th chapters of Matthew; then you may be just where Satan wants you. “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 25, p. 13
April 27, 1972

By Donald P. Ames

In this day and age of money seekers, people are getting increasingly interested in obtaining the maximum available to them. There is, however, a very interesting parallel between savings account to be found in your local bank, and the dividends we acquire as Christians. This comparison is further enhanced by Pauls statement in I Tim. 6:17-19, “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” (cf. Matt. 6:19-2 1). Quite obviously, if we are interested in saving for eternity we must recognize that as our goal and save in that direction. If we follow the direction of the rich young ruler (Mark 10: 17-22) we too shall be disappointed.

Deposits

Most banks will accept deposits into savings accounts from anyone. By that, I simply mean that if a wife wants to deposit some money into an account only in the name of her husband, the bank will not refuse her money — or that of a friend into the account of another friend. The same thing is true of the Lord. Many are busy putting money into “heavenly savings accounts” to the credit of someone else. They have never obeyed the gospel (opened their own account), but feel a good life and large contributions to the local congregation will get them into heaven where they can enjoy their “dividends.” Jesus answered such a group in Matt. 7:21-23 when he said, “Not every one who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Paul spoke of those who had “a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge” (Rom. 10: 2). If we hope to reap dividends in eternity, we must realize first of all that we are going to have -to get our name on the Lords records (Rev. 20:12, 15). Then we are accumulating “dividends” to our credit for eternity (Matt. 25:34-40). We cannot make it on anothers.

Likewise, one must pay attention to the deadline for deposits. Many banks have a cutoff date (i.e. if not in by the 10th of the month there will be no interest until the next month). We too have a deadline to keep in mind-if we wait too long we might miss the opportunity to collect any dividends. James reminds us we have no guarantee on the future (Jas. 4:14). What a tragedy it would be to find out there are no dividends because we waited too long (Matt. 25:1-13).

Withdrawals

Unlike deposits, this is an entirely different matter. Banks may accept funds from anyone, but become very particular whom they surrender them to. You must have an authorized signature, etc. before any funds at all are released from an account — regardless of who may have put it in. So it is with our heavenly savings account. The Lord may permit the rain to fall on the just and unjust (Matt. 5:45) as you may be able to cash a check at a bank without an account, but the dividends are paid only to those who meet the specifications set forth by the Lord (or bank). In Heb. 5: 9 we find He is the author of salvation only to “all those who obey Him.” In Rev. 20:15, we find if you have not opened the account and placed your name on the heavenly “signature cards,” all efforts to claim the spiritual dividends (heaven and all its glory) will be futile. Thus Christ asks, “And why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I ask?” (Luke 6: 46). Again, it must be my account to benefit me (2 Cor. 5: 10).

It is indeed a pleasant thing to be able to withdraw some of those accumulated dividends as special needs may arise. And, in the spiritual realm, the Lord is always there when we need Him to grant us some of those precious funds. He assures us we will have “rest for our souls” (Matt. 11: 29), freedom from anxiety by trust in him (Matt. 6:33), a sympathetic ear in time of trial (Heb. 4:15, I Cor. 10: 13), etc. These are blessings we enjoy as children of His and by communication with him in prayer. There is no end to his availability for these needs.

On the other hand, some do not use a savings account for savings, but merely as a place to deposit money and withdraw at will. Each withdrawal usually contributes even further to the reduction of his interest (withdrawals are usually considered as a lump sum against the initial deposit for figuring interest, with later deposits being figured separately). So it is spiritually. Some go through the motions of obeying the gospel and being added to the Lords church, and then immediately begins withdrawals. They will withdraw Wednesday evenings in favor of time at home with the family or being too tired; then on Sunday evenings in favor of an afternoon drive or company; and then another withdrawal of influence, so that they might be able to attend a dance, or go mixed swimming, or enjoy a drink with the other guys, etc. Each such withdrawal also hurts the account opened in heaven too. Such withdrawals can quickly kill all interest in an account, even though additional deposits may be made from time to time to keep a little money in the account. And the same is true spiritually. We may occasionally go to church, contribute to the collection, etc. to keep our “name on the rolls,” but the withdrawals can kill our hopes for any dividends (heaven and its glory). Paul gives us this admonition in Col. 1:21-23, where he says, “And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach — if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard. . . .” (Cf. I Cor. 15:2). When this occurs, we must reverse that action and take the proper steps to discontinue it (Acts 8:13-24).

Closing The Account

Naturally, closing the account implies there is one there for us to reap the dividends, etc., on. If not your account, there are no dividends! The same pertains to those who may hope to get to heaven because they have married a fine Christian wife, or other members of the family have obeyed the gospel, etc. As already noted, it must be my account for me to reap the heavenly dividends (2 Cor. 5:10).

Many banks have set times for paying interest (i.e., quarterly, semi, etc.) and if funds are withdrawn ahead of that time, all interest is lost regardless of how much was on deposit or how many days may be left to go before interest is scheduled to be paid. God has also set up a timetable and our life does not permit us to foresee just when that time may be. Our withdrawals may ruin that account, when withdrawn for fleshly desires, before we realize the danger it is in. Other people withdraw all their accounts without any concern for interest-and lose it all! When people quit the church, go out into the world and forget the Lord entirely, that account is closed and all the dividends lost. God has given us a chance to reopen it and still enjoy the full benefit (I Pet. 3:8-9, Rom. 2: 4), but that decision and a proper sense of perspective values is up to us to make. He will not force us to keep that account, but will plead and await our return. As Ezekiel so well puts it, “As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, 0 house of Israel?” (Ezek. 33:11).

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 25, pp. 11-13
April 27, 1972

By Leslie Diestelkamp

Many years ago, in rural Missouri, an elderly man operated a country store. One customer wanted to buy a whole case of “Pork and Beans” or some such item. But the store-keeper objected. He said, “I cant sell the whole case, for then I would have to buy more.” And some Christians seem to have that kind of attitude toward gospel work. They seem to feel that when we spend money to support gospel preachers around the world, we are making a sacrifice. But the farmer who sows does not sacrifice the price of the seed. Rather, the one who fails to sow sacrifices a potential harvest.

Today Gods people need to become fully aware of the great opportunities for evangelism everywhere. Then, seeing the fields, recognizing the needs and identifying the varying advantages, we must engage the churches in work that will please the Lord and help some souls to be saved. And when we do this with enthusiasm, even the giving churches will also be greatly benefited. Many congregations that had grown stale and lukewarm in local activities have been invigorated, and have become enthused for local work after learning the joy of participation in world evangelism. The money spent in supporting a faithful preacher in a distant place is not a sacrifice, it is an investment. And it will even “pay” locally if the preacher who is supported and the supporting church become bonded together in significant partnership and happy mutual respect and concern.

Central America

Evidently there is a great opportunity open right now in our neighboring countries “south of the border.” Any preacher who speaks Spanish should surely want to hear the thrilling story of great fruitfulness in Honduras. Write or call or see Dan. C. Coker, Rt. 1, Box 211 SS, Lake Pagett Estates, Land OLakes, Fla. 33539. Brother Coker, who is on the faculty of South Florida University, has, with his wife spent some years in Honduras. Obviously the door is open there now and perhaps in other Central American countries.

The Eastern Sea-Board

While we look to other fruitful fields, we must not forget our own land and the destitute fields it provides. Get yourself a map of the U.S. Draw a circle with a radius of 200 miles and with New York city as the center. Now discard almost half the circle for it is in the Atlantic Ocean and there are no people there. Yet in the remaining half circle you keep which reaches from Washington, D.C. to Boston, you have about 47,000,000 (forty seven million) people. That is almost one fourth of the entire population of this country. The relatively small area thus described has a population that is greater than the combined population of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

But what about the Lords church in the, teeming megalopolis along our eastern coast? There are indeed a few faithful churches scattered through the area, but the need is obvious and terrifying. Some Christians drive 80 miles (one way) to attend services that are scripturally conducted. Who will go into this densely settled area of our own country and help establish some new congregations and encourage some lonely brethren? And what churches will support workers in this amazing field right here at our own front door?

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 25, p. 9
April 27, 1972

By James Sanders

The anti-class and women teachers position is usually thought of as ultraconservatism. Brethren who have doubts about either women teachers or Bible classes often think of themselves as moderate. They say, “Id rather be safe and not do it.” To their way of thinking, they are acting unassumingly and are trodding the certain path. But such is not the case. It is never safe or conservative to bind where God has not bound.

Recently I attended a discussion in the panhandle of Texas which aptly illustrates this very point. The debate was between David Bonner of Dumas, Texas, and Ralph Gage of El Dorado, Arkansas. It lasted four nights1 and two main propositions were disputed. The first point of controversy dealt with Bible classes. Bonner affirmed they were Scriptural and Gage denied. The second half of the debate, however, is what made the series rather unique. Here Gage (anti-class) affirmed universal benevolence by the church, i.e. “The local church has the obligation to help all the needy in the world as it has ability and opportunity to do SO.” Bonner, Of course, denied. The result was that Gage was at once both ultraconservative and liberal. You ask, “How can that possibly be?” And we reply, “Because anti-class is not conservatism!” Brethren are not being safe when they bind where the Lord has not bound.

Gage, consequently, was in a very awkward position. He had bound (anti-class) when God had not done so and had loosed (universal benevolence) where the Lord had not loosed. Even the Apostles themselves could not do this. The Christ had said to Peter: “Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19b, NASB).2

The Debate Itself

The conduct of both disputants during the debate was superb. F. W. Robertson once remarked, “Disagreement is refreshing when two men lovingly desire to compare their views to find out truth.” Such was the Bonner-Gage debate.

David Bonner was excellent in his defense of truth. His conduct was that of a gentleman and his pursuit for Scripture was that of a warrior. It was the twenty-fifth debate on classes for Ralph Gage. I believe he was honest. Gage attempted to reply to every argument submitted by Bonner. Not once did he call names, knowingly misrepresent, or dodge a point.

The real crux of the discussion, however, was neither classes nor benevolence. The central theme was Biblical authority and how to establish it. Gage literally had no concept of doing all in the name of the Lord.

Bonners basic arguments on classes were mimeographed and distributed. He has extra copies. Write him: Church of Christ, 6th & Meredith, Dumas, Texas 79029.

Footnotes

1 February 28-29; March 2-3, 1972. Four propositions were debated. The writer was only able to attend the first two nights. A written report on the remaining two nights provides the source for comments given on the benevolent issue.

2 The verb form is a perfect passive participle and expresses a thing in a state of having been already forbidden. It is accurately translated by the New American Standard Bible.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 25, p. 8
April 27, 1972