Resolved Whores ...

There are those that teach the Bible says we should give unto others, in order that we might receive for ourselves.  On subscribing to this philosophy, we begin to believe that by giving our offerings, tithes, or performing other “good works” that the blessings of Heaven are poured out on us and that we will become rich as a reward for our generosity.  The book of Malachi describes this a bit.  And to an extent this phenomenon is true, but the cause and effect have been distorted, and in the mean time we have eagerly learned how to be whores.

Women in particular, are quite resistant to the idea that they might be called whores with accuracy.  When a woman marries for money, others are quick to point out it is only another form of prostitution (a legal one).  But the idea that a seemingly faithful woman, who has not strayed out of her marital vows, and whose reason for marrying was indeed love – to be called a whore is a quite unpleasant thing.  Men, in general, are more accepting of being called this term, merely writing it off to the “error of their youthful pursuits”.  But to tell a man that he may be actively selling his love or his honor for money, would not go down so smooth either.

But how do you ask, can an entire generation be classified under this cruel kind of banner?  Well it begins this way … First, I am not referring to physical sexual fidelity.  Sexual expression, as we have discussed in prior blogs, is really at heart an expression of supreme intimacy with another person, a unity of mind, body, and soul.  This is the kind of unity God would like with each of us (the unity of mind and soul – not so much body).  God’s love for each of us is unconditional and complete.  He reaches out to us before we are even aware He is there.  But our God is not a pimp, nor a “john” walking the streets looking to score.  He does not offer us blessings in exchange for our performance (or good works).

In point of fact, our God offers us blessings in spite of what we deserve.  The sun and the rain fall upon the wicked and righteous.  God pours out His love on each of His children, despite whether they may love Him or not – the fact is, He loves them.  Ever wonder why it seems that the wicked prosper?  How do all those fat-cats on Wall Street get there?  How do all those rich Saudi oil princes get so rich?  We may not like those folks too much, after all their wealth is earned by our collective sweat, but God still loves each of them.  He works hard with each “rich” person in the world, just like He works hard with you or me.  When someone like a Warren Buffett, or a Bill Gates decides to give back – the impacts are felt globally.

But the best part about Warren or Bill giving back is that they have no expectations of getting even richer from their charity.  They are truly giving money away, not expecting to see it again.  It is not a bribe to the man upstairs, in order to gain favor, or worse, get rich quicker – it is a true gift back to the world, and those in need.  Those who pursue scripture as a giant vending machine in the sky, are completely missing the point on how blessings are gained, and what it means to be truly rich, truly free, or truly loved – they are in point of fact – resolved whores.  They resolve only to give when they can gain, or as a means of it.  They are selling their love to a God who is refusing to buy.

So then, what is the motive to ever give?  The reason why this idea is so popular from Christian pulpits that you must give in order to receive, is that ministries rely on donations.  If a minister told you to stop giving, he would be holding a gun to his own ministry’s head.  If he told you that God would bless you regardless of your worthiness, and regardless of your giving level, you might get greedy wouldn’t you?  After all this is what the Israelites did with all their blessings in the olden days, they just kept on accumulating.  The whores of old had ambitions of becoming bankers.  Instead of giving back, they took the blessings and used them to earn even more wealth and more blessings and became even richer as a people – kinda like us today – we try to use each gift to make us wealthier and invest little in giving back to the world.

But again I ask, why give at all?  Christ told the rich young ruler to sell ALL that he had, give it to the poor, and come follow Him.  Why sell everything?  Wouldn’t he then be poor himself, destitute of all the world’s wealth, is not this counter-intuitive?  The rich young ruler thought so and went away sad, he would rather keep his wealth, than become the 13^th apostle.  Amazing the pull of wealth on the soul.  Maybe this why we should start looking as wealth as more a burden on us in a spiritual sense, and less of a blessing in itself.  With wealth comes ease, complacency, and perhaps even increased selfishness.  Yet Christ’s own words contained a blessing that was consistent with the rest of scripture, he said if the rich man sold ALL his stuff, he would have – “treasure in heaven”.  This was promise of true wealth, this was a promise ALL of us greedy folks can sink our teeth into.  Was Christ referring to golden crowns adorned with diamonds the clarity of the sun, with more carrots than Bugs Bunny might enjoy?  Was Christ referring to a social structure in heaven where wealth would designate prominence even in a heavenly kingdom as some might enjoy here on earth?  What kind of treasure was He referring to?

A widow gave 2 mites (or think of it as two pennies) in church.  Her gift was small, but it was ALL she had, and as such Christ declared she gave more than all those around her who were giving massive sums into the till.  Her treasure was her.  The rich man’s promised treasure was the widow, and the poor people whose lives would be changed by the rich man’s generosity.  There would be PEOPLE in heaven because of the changes they would see in the life of the rich man who gave it all up to be with Jesus.  He would have had a ministry of his own.  After the death and resurrection of Christ he would have been one of the 12 who would have had great deeds, great works, and a great testimony.  His wealth would be measured in souls, in heaven, where only PEOPLE matter.  This is the only true wealth.

The reason to give, is not to receive, the reason to give is the reward in the giving.  Christ does not PROMISE wealth in this world, but in the next.  Christ places value on the only world that matters, the one that lasts.  He points our focus from off of ourselves and on to others.  He echoes the entire governmental structure of heaven by serving others Himself, and asks us to join in this work.  The serving is the gift.  The giving is the reward.  The blessings that come from this are in the heart of the giver and in the soul of the servant.  They can ONLY be understood by those who give.  It is the internal transformation of the core of who you are that takes place when you give to another without expectations of reward.  The happiness you bring to others, echoes in your own heart and mind.  The change you bring to another’s life may wind up being what was needed to point that person back to God and thus you connect them with the source of all saving love.

To join Christ in this work through giving, through serving, you learn how to truly love – not simply to be whores.  Resolve not to do, but to give up to Christ.  Resolve not to perform, but to be willing to be used by God.  Resolve not through the power of your character or stubborn ability to get things done, but commit to Christ to rely on His strength, on His promises, on His mercy.  It is only Christ on who you can rely.