According to Ronald Reagan, the scariest words you can hear are, “I’m from
the government and here to help.” And today it seems it has gone from a catchy
line to a warning that must be heeded. Obamacare has taken more money from us
in terms of healthcare, that we cannot afford to have, or not have. Even with
my high priced meds, it is cheaper for me to pay cash for them than have
Medicare pay them, for an increased premium of course. My sister in law living
in Canada has a three month wait for x-rays, 6 months for a MRI. Go to the
states, only covered if not pre-existing. And the SCOTUS deems in legal because
it is a tax we must pay, why else would the IRS enforce it? Maybe if those who
voted for it had to be covered by it the law may change. It seems those who
believe in a socialistic government have never lived in one, try 6 months in
Russia, waiting in line for old meat. Or Cuba, where new cars are over 55 years
old. Gotta sit down, that just gave me a headache.
But things have changed in my lifetime, and we don’t like change. We were
promised change, that’s all I have left. But I see patterns throughout my
life. As kids we would collect glass pop bottles when we needed a candy fix.
They were always found in an empty lot by my house, then we went to plastic one
way bottles, no deposit, no return. Now we pay a deposit on them, a tax, and
recycle them. Still paying attention? Remember when paper bags were used for
groceries? And those neat insulated bags used for half gallon ice cream? Today
we get plastic, and half gallons are only a gallon and a quarter, but cost the
same. And now they are being outlawed, but you can purchase them for a dime if
needed. Another tax. What will it be next? I am not opposed to having nice
roads, police, and schools, but where does the money go? Is anyone listening?
Does any one care? Remember all the money schools were to get from the
lottery? They do, but the general fund has been canceled, along with its
funds. Now education is supported by gambling? What are the odds your kid will
graduate before the casinos close?
A few years back when ATM’s became popular, so did debit cards. No more
paper checks, now we just scan a card, and it seems everyone has one. Including
mine sometimes, as I have had my account robbed on different occasions. Never
had any cash stolen, but my PIN and card number seem to be free to anyone who
wants them. So much for a secure server, whatever or whoever he is. So it seems
the advice one Benjamin Braddock was given in The Graduate when he graduated
from college is true, “plastics.” From paper to plastic, from bags to money,
the key word is plastic. Easy to make, easy to carry, easy to steal, and easy
to replace. Whatever happened to “in God we trust? and all others pay cash?”
Do we trust God with our plastic?
Some years back a business man asked Fr. Al for some advice, Biblical
advice. He was faced with a heavy tax burden, he hadn’t paid them in years, and
was faced with penalties also. Knowing Fr. Al to be a man of God, and offer
godly advice, he asked him what to do. His answer surprised him, and sent him
away dismayed. He was looking for a way out, what he got was scripture.
“Render unto God the things of God, and unto man the things of man.” Advice
found in Matthew 22:21. Where when asked a similar question, reached into the
sea, and grabbed a fish, which must have amazed the fisherman disciples, and
pulled a coin from its mouth. It bore the figure of Caesar on it, and thus the
lesson. It seems all are honest until it comes to paying our taxes, looking for
a loophole, which it seems the rich can find. Maybe reinforcing why Jesus said
the poor will always be among us. But if we don’t honor the government, and
there are reasons not to, why do we take the same attitude with God? Why don’t
we give? Some are burdened by tithing, and never receiving, while some give
expecting a reward from God. And my reason may be different than yours, but
equally wrong.
You can tell a lot about a person’s relationship with God by the way they
pray. How they address him, what they call him. Some cry out to Jesus, but few
refer to the holy spirit, who Jesus gave us to minister to until he returns.
Paul addressed this issue in 1 Timothy, where he urged men to lift up holy
hands. Which was the way Jews prayed, standing hands in the air. Today we see
it in churches, but here Paul was referring to something deeper than the
physical placement of hands. He was referring to the condition of the heart,
and how it is reflected in our actions. Do our actions meet our prayers,
especially in public for all to hear, and see? Are we really worshipping God,
or putting on a front for the others? People are not as stupid as we hope they
are, here Paul is instructing Timothy that what he prays in public, he must live
in private. Now do you really want to pray before the service? You cannot fool
God, but you can fool yourself. So we are instructed to pray with a right
heart, which usually means changing of attitude and actions before speaking.
Maybe listening to what the spirit has to say first is best. Spirit or flesh?
Paper or plastic? Heaven or hell? It comes down to choices, and who you say
Jesus is in your life. We forget the words sometimes, the actions we
don’t.
Today we will make over 6000 choices, some less, some more. Start your day
in prayer, with Jesus, led by his spirit. See things through his eyes, instead
of your own, or the governments. Jesus sent his spirit to help, comfort, guide,
and minister. Why look to man, or government, when we have the promises of God
to help us? We have come a long way from paper or plastic, cash or charge?
Today take the time to choose Jesus. Life or death? If you have, you know the
difference, if not, find out. The government has to provide welfare because the
church has failed to take care of widows and orphans, and the elderly like
instructed. The church has failed, the government is failing, only Jesus never
will. If he can find a coin in a fish, imagine what he can do for you. Maybe
that is why the love of money, not just money is the root of all evil. And
fishing so popular. Words to remember when waiting in line for an MRI, a
doctor’s appointment, or seeing a tax specialist. Jesus doesn’t want your
money, the church does. Don’t confuse the two. Souls are not recyclable, nor
are lives. Invest in eternity today through Jesus Christ. Let your actions
reveal a true heart given over to God, and find you can send it ahead. While
Jesus meets your needs here. Another miracle. Give unto Caesar the things of
Caesar, but don’t neglect the things of God either. The fruit of the spirit has
no cost, and is free, no laws against it. Try that with the government. Maybe
the most rewarding words are “I’m with Jesus, and he is here to help.” And with
fewer forms to fill out, less lines to wait in. Paper or plastic? Be wrapped in
his love, it sure beats sticking your hand in a fish. And no PIN required he
knows you by name. Paper or plastic? Still the best way to double your money is
folding it in half, and putting it back. Jesus is the only secure server...by
your prayers you will show him. Are your hands as clean as your heart? God
knows, we suspect.....ah, the beauty of forgiveness. Experience it right
now....let’s pray.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com