DISCIPLE

"Lay not up for yourselves treasure on earth," taught the Lord. Did He mean it literally? Many would argue against it, probably for personal rather than exegetical or theological reasons. They want to keep their treasures and comforts! Some would seek to exempt themselves because they have a family, but A. N. Groves was married and had a family. In 1825 Anthony Norris Groves, a wealthy Christian dentist in England, wrote Christian Devotedness for the purpose of encouraging believers to take Matthew  6:19 literally and to trust the heavenly Father for their future. Being convinced himself of the Lord's command, he forsook all and left for Baghdad in 1829 to reach the heathen for Christ. Here is an excerpt from his book, which isn't exactly a "best-seller" among Christians. - - - - - -  BUT DID THE LORD INTEND THAT WE SHOULD TAKE THIS COMMAND LITERALLY?   To all arguments drawn from passages of this description, the usual answer is that the exhor...

Stop The Robbery!   by Samuel E. Robinson       Malachi is often referred to as one of the minor prophets, yet his prophecy is of major importance to us today. There is a remarkable similarity between the conditions of his day and our day and generation. Therefore, all of Malachi's short book of 52 verses warrants our careful consideration and meditation.     However, let's focus on just one of the charges in the Lord's solemn indictment of His people, Israel, recorded in Malachi 3:8: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” Israel's pharisaical response was incredulous. Yet it was an expression of their spiritual blindness and moral insensibility.     The temple had been rebuilt, the altar had been erected, the sacrifices were being offered, and they had been very particular in observing all the ceremonies and feasts. God, through His serva...