The coronavirus has affected the economy big time. The stock market is way down. In the workplace, those who are not considered essential have been told to stay home. This is not pleasant to think about. It's impacting every home, family, industry, and business nationwide. But what's really on my heart is the local CHURCH. Just like yours, their bills are still coming in. They depend on our tithes and offerings. So, I ask you, "What's in your wallet?"
As I imagine people looking at their finances, two people groups come to mind.
Which group are you in?
1st: Joseph of Arimathaea
Joseph is mentioned in 3 of the 4 gospels. We are told that he was an honest, rich lawyer and a Jewish believer. Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus' body, wrapped it in linen, and placed it in his own tomb.
Joseph cared for the body of Christ by wrapping it in linen.
Joseph provided for the body of Christ by placing Jesus in his own tomb.
The body of Christ needs Josephs today: Financially stable men & women who will step forward and take care of Jesus' body (the Church). Financially stable men & women who will step forward and provide for the needs of Christ's body (the Church).
I'm sure Joseph counted the cost and it cost him everything. He was a Jew who secretly believed Christ was the Messiah. To acknowledge Jesus publicly, he risked being rejected by family. His reputation was most likely ruined as was his livelihood. We know that Jesus rose again and Joseph's tomb was restored to him. He recovered that loss but what about his family, his law practice, and his position with the Sanhedrin counsel? We're not told how Joseph's life turned out. It's not recorded in scripture that Jesus talked with Joseph after his resurrection. But Jesus must have and I can imagine him saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.
Think just for a minute about what would have happened if Joseph had not stepped up to claim and care for Christ's body. Would have history have been changed? Think this through with me: Judas betrayed Jesus, then in an act of repentance he brought the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests. Deeming it unfit for the treasury, the priests called the money “blood money”. The priests decided to buy the potter's field for the purpose of burying strangers. It was called “the field of blood”. Whose blood? Jesus' blood. I wonder if Jesus would have been buried there in “the field of blood”.
Again, would history have changed for Christ's body if it were buried in the field of blood?
No. Christ would still have gotten the victory over death and the grave. He still would have risen again.
The only person that history would have changed for is Joseph. He would not have a tomb full of the resurrection glory and power of Christ. He would, however, still have his place in his home town and he would be welcome among his family. He would have his position in the Sanhedrin.
History changed for Joseph when he gave everything he had for Christ's body! When he stepped up to take care of the body of Christ, when he stepped up to provide for the needs of Christ's body, his future changed. Do you think Christ resurrected Joseph's life?
“And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life” (Matthew 19:29).
I'm sure Joseph received ONE HUNDREDFOLD RETURN on his investment! In every area:
finances, family, city, houses, lands - Joseph received100 fold return in this life, plus eternal life.
What are you doing for the Body of Christ?
What can you do?
What's in your wallet?
Maybe you are not rich like Joseph of Arimathaea and you fall into the 2nd group.
2nd - A nameless little boy or a nameless widow
You may identify with the boy that gave his lunch to Jesus. This was all the boy had and he could have kept it to sustain and feed himself, which seems perfectly reasonable. But he gave it to Jesus, who then blessed it and fed 5000 men (plus women & children). The scripture tells us that 12 baskets full of leftovers were gathered up after the feeding. The boy gave his lunch but Jesus made sure he was still fed.
You may identify with the widow who because of drought and famine only had enough supplies to feed herself and her son one last meal, after which she fully expected they would die of starvation. Elijah instructed her to feed him first and that if she would do that, her supplies of flour and oil would not run out. That's exactly what happened.
Even if we only have enough for ourselves, when we honor God - He provides. In this season, I admonish you that even if your tithe is measly, give it anyway and give a smidgen more. God will provide for you as you honor Him in this way.
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).
PS: I assure you that the Lord laid this word on my heart and that no pastor asked me to write this. Also, I asked you to forward this to any modern-day Josephs of Arimathaea that you may know, as well as to all who fall in the category of the little boy or the widow. That's the least we can do for the body of Christ.
Use these links to read about Joseph of Arimathaea:
Use this link to read about Judas and the 30 pieces of silver:
Use this link to read about the little boy who gave his lunch to Jesus: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A1-13&version=NIV
Use this link to read about the widow who fed Elijah before she fed her own son:
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Email: debbieywelty@yahoo.com
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