Day: October 27, 2011

The One True Aim In Living

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J.R. Miller 90x115by J.R. Miller

"My Will—or God’s Will?"

What is success? What is the true aim in life? What should one, setting out to make his way through this world—take as the goal of all his living and striving?

‘Views of life’ differ widely. Many think they are in this world to make a career for themselves. They set out with some splendid vision of success in their mind—and they devote their life to the realizing of this vision. If they fail in this, they suppose they have failed in life. If they achieve their dream—they consider themselves, and are considered by others, as successful.

The world has no other standard of success: it may be the amassing of wealth; it may be the winning of power among men; it may be the triumph of a certain skill; or genius in art, in literature, in music, etc.

But whatever the definite object may be, it is purely an earthly ambition.

Give God The Macedonian

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Vance Havner 90x115by Vance Havner

“The churches of Macedonia….first gave their own selves to the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 8:1, 5

We have money in the church today but not many Macedonians. People give their substance but not their selves. Fine churches are built, workers are employed, and the members show up on Sunday morning, but never dream of living for God seven days a week. Actually, every Christian is meant to be in full-time Christian service, whether he draws a salary for it or not. Jesus paid it all and all to Him we owe.

Silver and gold we have a plenty, but we are not saying to a crippled world, “Rise and walk.”

Expensive edifices built with “vain oblation”-gifts without the givers-cannot substitute for giving God the temples of our bodies and hearts. Modern Macedonians give money, but the early Macedonians first gave God the Macedonians! The Early Church was all lay witnesses. Too often now it is big business run by a salaried staff paid to do church work, while the rest of us work for ourselves. But we are all on the staff, and no matter how faithfully salaried helpers may work, they cannot do our job nor can we do ours merely by paying them. God wants the Macedonian first.

by Vance Havner