Articles
A Parable about Honesty
A Parable about Honesty
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together. He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you.” The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued: “I am going to give each one of you a SEED today -- one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.”
An accountant by the name of Jim, like the others, received a seed that day. He went home excitedly and told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil, and plant food, and he carefully planted the seed. Every day he would lightly water it and watch to see if it had sprouted.
After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about the lush foliage and strong stems, but Jim didn't have a plant at all, and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He was convinced that he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues; however, he just kept watering and fertilizing the soil -- He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by, and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she encouraged him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful and in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor near the others, and many of his colleagues laughed, and a few felt sorry for him.
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. “My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,” said the CEO. “Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!” Then the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room standing near his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, “The CEO knows I'm a failure. Maybe he will have me fired.” When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed; Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, “Let me introduce your next Chief Executive Officer. His name is Jim.” Jim couldn't believe it. He couldn't even grow his seed. “How could he possibly be the new CEO?” the others demanded.
The CEO calmly replied, “One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave all of you boiled seeds; they were dead. It was not possible for them to grow.
All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees, plants, and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it.
Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!”
“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight (Prov. 12:22). “Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool” (Prov. 19:1). “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). “For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man” (2Cor. 8:21).
Calling Myself
As I was moving my laptop, cell phone, and assorted books and papers from one room to another, the “regular” phone rang. I hurriedly set down my stuff and rushed to answer the call before the answering machine kicked in. “Hello,” I said. No reply. I said hello again when I heard rustling, but still no response. So I hung up and went back to my stuff on the floor. When I picked up my cell phone I realized that I had accidentally speed-dialed my home phone number!
I laughed at myself, but then wondered: How often are my prayers more like calling myself than calling on God? For example, when I am falsely accused, I plead with God for vindication. I want my name cleared and the guilty person held accountable for the harm done to my reputation. But then I get impatient with God and try to vindicate myself. I may as well be praying to myself.
Vindication does not come from self-defensive arguments; it stems from integrity (Ps. 26:1). It requires that I allow God to examine my mind and heart (v.2) and that I walk in His truth (v.3). This, of course, requires patient waiting (25:21). When we call on God, He will help us—but in His perfect time and in His perfect way. (Julie Ackerman Link)
Eye for an Eye
The minister of an inner-city church told his congregation: “Some people believe in ‘an eye for an eye.’ But in this neighborhood, it’s two eyes for an eye. You can never even the score; you can only raise the stakes.” The people nodded in solemn understanding of the reality they faced each day.
We’ve seen it happen on a school playground or in our own homes—a child bumps into another during a game. The one who was bumped pushes back, and the shoving quickly grows into a fight. It’s the process of retaliation and escalation in which each act of revenge exceeds the one that provoked it.
In Matthew 5, Jesus tackled a number of key relational issues by raising the standard to the one that pleases God: “You have heard that it was said ... But I tell you...” (vv.38-39). His words about turning the other cheek, going the second mile, and giving to those who ask may sound as radical and unrealistic to us as they did to those who first heard them (vv.38-42). Are we willing to ponder and pray about His teaching? Are we ready to apply it when we are wronged at home, at work, or at school?
The cycle of escalation can be broken when a courageous, faith-filled person refuses to strike back. To return good for good is natural; to return good for evil is supernatural. (David C. McCasland)
A Moments Wisdom
--Patience is not passive; on the contrary, it is active; it is concentrated strength.
--There is no such thing as preaching patience to people unless the sermon is so long they have to practice it while they hear it.
--A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.
--The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
--Each one of us should do something every day that we do not want to do but know we should do, to strengthen our backbone and put iron in our soul.
Test Your Bible Knowledge of the Psalms
1. This Psalm is praises using instrumental music to praise God in the Law of Moses __________
2. This Psalm praises the singing of praises __________
3. This short Psalm praises the law of the Lord __________
4. This Psalm was written by Moses __________
5. This Psalm praises going into the house of the Lord __________
6. This imprecatory Psalm calls on God to burn evil doers __________
Upcoming Sermons
9/5/21 AM - What I Want to Say to God; PM - Monthly Singing Service (Congregational choice of songs)
9/12/21 AM - The Faith of the Wise Men; PM - God is Still on His Throne: A Study of Trust
9/19/21 AM - Why Did It Have to be Jesus?; PM - Joseph the Just
9/26/21 AM - The Gospel of Self; PM - God’s Purpose for Planet Earth
