Luke Chapter 21 # 2

Luke Chapter 21 # 2

Let us remember, that although Christ's work does not depend on our money - yet Christ is pleased to test the reality of our faith, by allowing us to help Him. If we cannot find it in our hearts to give anything to Christ's cause - then we may well doubt the reality of our faith and charity. Let us recollect that our use of the money God has given us, will have to be accounted for at the last day. The "Judge of all" will be He who noticed the widow's mite! Our incomes and expenditures will be brought to light before an assembled world. If we prove in that day to have been rich toward ourselves, but poor toward God - then it would be better for us if we had never been born.

Not least, let us look round the world and ask where are the men that were ever ruined by liberal giving to godly purposes, and who ever found himself really poorer by lending to the Lord? We shall find that the words of Solomon are strictly true, "There is one that scatters - and yet increases; and there is one that withholds more than is fit - and it tends to poverty" (Prov. 11:24).

Finally - let us pray for rich men, who as yet know nothing of the luxury of giving - that their riches may not be their ruin. Hundreds of gospel movements are standing still continually for lack of funds. Great and effectual doors are open to the church of Christ for doing good all over the world - but for lack of money, few can be sent to enter in by them. Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to come down on all our congregations, and to teach all our worshipers what to do with their money.

Of all people on earth, none ought to be such liberal givers as Christians. All that they have - they owe to the free gift of God. Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Gospel, the Bible, the means of grace, the hope of glory - all are undeserved, incomparable gifts, which millions of heathen never heard of! The possessors of such gifts ought surely to be ready to distribute and willing to give. A giving Saviour - ought to have giving disciples. Freely we have received - freely we ought to give (1 Tim. 6:18; Matt. 10:8).

Section 121. Signs of the End of the Age, Luke 21:5-9

And as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which you behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And they asked Him, saying, "Master, but when shall these things come to pass?" And He said, "Take heed that you be not deceived: for many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draws near: go you not therefore after them. But when you shall hear of wars and commotions, but not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not yet."

Let us notice in this passage - our Lord Jesus Christ's words about the temple at Jerusalem. We read that some spoke of it, "how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts." They praised it for its outward beauty. They admired its size, its architectural grandeur, and its costly decorations - but they met with no response from our Lord. We read that He said, "As for what you see - the time will come when not one stone will be left on another, every one of them will be thrown down."

These words were a striking prophecy. An English mind can hardly conceive how strange and startling they must have sounded to Jewish ears. They were spoken of a building which every Israelite regarded with almost idolatrous veneration. They were spoken of a building which contained the ark, the holy of holies, and the symbolic furniture formed on a pattern given by God Himself. They were spoken of a building associated with most of the principle names in Jewish history; with David, Solomon, Hezekiah, Josiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezra, and Nehemiah. They were spoken of a building toward which every devout Jew turned his face in every quarter of the world, when he offered up his daily prayers. (1 Kings 8:44; Jonah 2:4; Daniel 6:10).

But they were words spoken advisedly. They were spoken in order to teach us the mighty truth - that the true glory of a place of worship does not consist in outward ornaments. "The Lord does not see as man sees." (1 Sam. 16:7). Man looks at the outward appearance of a building. The Lord looks for spiritual worship, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. In the temple at Jerusalem, these things were utterly lacking - and therefore Jesus Christ could take no pleasure in it.

Professing Christians will do well to remember our Lord's words in the present day. It is fit and right beyond doubt that buildings set apart for Christian worship, should be worthy of the purpose for which they are used. Whatever is done for Christ, ought to be well done. The house in which the Gospel is preached, and the Word of God read, and prayer offered up - ought to lack nothing that can make it lovely and substantial.

But let it never be forgotten that the material part of a Christian Church is by far the least important part of it. The fairest combinations of marble, and stone and wood, and painted glass - are worthless in God's sight, unless there is truth in the pulpit and grace in the congregation!

The dens and caves in which the early Christians used to meet, were far more beautiful in the eyes of Christ than the noblest cathedral that was ever reared by man. The temple in which the Lord Jesus delights most - is a broken and contrite heart, renewed by the Holy Spirit.

~J. C. Ryle~

(continued with # 3)