Paul and Barnabas had quite the case of mistake identity in Lystra! After God healed a man who had been crippled from birth, the citizens of that city interpreted those events as a visit from the gods. We might say that was foolish of them, but they were seeing the world through the filter of their culture. They thought Zeus and Hermes had come, and they prepared a celebration and sacrifice. Obviously, Paul and Barnabas were very upset and tried to stop them. What they said grabbed my attention this morning: “We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Ye he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by give you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
For something to be vain is for it to be hollow, empty, powerless, pointless, foolish or useless. Paul and Barnabas see the worship of Zeus and Hermes, along with the rest of the Olympians, and say, “This is vain.” These people of Lystra are devoting themselves to something that cannot help them. (Do not over look the comments listing heaven, earth, sea, rain and seasons. Each of these was represented by a god among the Greek gods, and Paul and Barnabas are challenging the legitimacy of those gods.)
These days we read this account and think how primitive these people must have been to assume that Barnabas and Paul were gods in human form. I’m not sure it’s completely fair of us to look down our noses at them though. At least we should ask ourselves if there are vain things that we should turn away from, too. Our culture shapes us just as the Lystran culture shaped them.
When I look at the anxiety people experience over money, I think this could be a vain thing in our lives. (And I’m a person who experiences that anxiety, too.) Recognizing that we need money in this culture, please understand, I am not saying that we should never think about money. Indeed, being grateful for God’s blessings should impact us so that we will be strategic and make the most of the money we earn both for our families and for the kingdom! But having money should not be the factor that serves as the foundation for our well being. Even people who have lost all their earthly goods can experience joy and hope in Christ.
I perceive a lot of anxiety among churches regarding money, too. Again, we want to use the tithes and offerings that we receive to the fullest extent to God’s glory. But on a much larger scale, we must recognize that even if we lost our building and everything in it, God would still be at work among us to bring forgiveness and salvation to people. We can trust the Lord to provide what we need to perform the mission He has given us – to proclaim forgiveness of sins as witnesses to what He has done in our lives.
Money is vain. In the end it will be gone. It is right to use it wisely in this world, and to work hard to do our best with it. However, we do not place our hope in money. Instead we place our hope in God and receive His blessings with worship and praise. He will see us through, even if we don’t see how.
Father, it is hard to trust you for everything. Increase my faith and set my heart on Jesus. Help me to put all my needs – physical and spiritual – into Your hand. Amen.
For something to be vain is for it to be hollow, empty, powerless, pointless, foolish or useless. Paul and Barnabas see the worship of Zeus and Hermes, along with the rest of the Olympians, and say, “This is vain.” These people of Lystra are devoting themselves to something that cannot help them. (Do not over look the comments listing heaven, earth, sea, rain and seasons. Each of these was represented by a god among the Greek gods, and Paul and Barnabas are challenging the legitimacy of those gods.)
These days we read this account and think how primitive these people must have been to assume that Barnabas and Paul were gods in human form. I’m not sure it’s completely fair of us to look down our noses at them though. At least we should ask ourselves if there are vain things that we should turn away from, too. Our culture shapes us just as the Lystran culture shaped them.
When I look at the anxiety people experience over money, I think this could be a vain thing in our lives. (And I’m a person who experiences that anxiety, too.) Recognizing that we need money in this culture, please understand, I am not saying that we should never think about money. Indeed, being grateful for God’s blessings should impact us so that we will be strategic and make the most of the money we earn both for our families and for the kingdom! But having money should not be the factor that serves as the foundation for our well being. Even people who have lost all their earthly goods can experience joy and hope in Christ.
I perceive a lot of anxiety among churches regarding money, too. Again, we want to use the tithes and offerings that we receive to the fullest extent to God’s glory. But on a much larger scale, we must recognize that even if we lost our building and everything in it, God would still be at work among us to bring forgiveness and salvation to people. We can trust the Lord to provide what we need to perform the mission He has given us – to proclaim forgiveness of sins as witnesses to what He has done in our lives.
Money is vain. In the end it will be gone. It is right to use it wisely in this world, and to work hard to do our best with it. However, we do not place our hope in money. Instead we place our hope in God and receive His blessings with worship and praise. He will see us through, even if we don’t see how.
Father, it is hard to trust you for everything. Increase my faith and set my heart on Jesus. Help me to put all my needs – physical and spiritual – into Your hand. Amen.
Comments