GOVERNMENT: God’s Servants Who Receive Our Support and Respect
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!
Death and taxes.
Some would say these are the only two certainties in life.
Kind of morbid when you think about it.
So if these are “inevitable events” of life, perhaps a different perspective make them both more palatable…should I even suggest exciting? (You decide if that’s an overstatement!)
Let’s deal quickly with death. Because of sin, death is real and will happen unless Jesus returns first. However, for a follower of Jesus, it is not an event to fear. Death, while an end to our time on earth, is the first day we get to experience heaven. Remember and hold on to Jesus’ promise: John 11:25-26 “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
But what about taxes? Is there a positive way to view this reality?
Let’s review.
Every government exists because it has been established by God. Therefore every government is under the authority of God, whether they realize it or not. Because they are under the authority of God, they are God’s servants to be a blessing to those who do good and God’s servants to be agents of wrath to those who do wrong. They have a job to carry out, again whether they realize it or not, given to them by God.
So, to support God’s servants who give their full time to governing, we pay taxes.
Romans 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
What changes if you start thinking of your taxes as an exercise of faith that supports God’s servants? At times it is hard to see this because governing officials don’t always carry out their God given responsibilities or do it as we wish they would. However, governing officials are accountable to God for the way they govern and we are responsible for the way we support God’s servants…with our taxes.
We also have a responsibility to honor and respect those in authority. We may not agree with them on policy, but again we do it not because we agree, but because we recognize they are God’s servants.
Romans 13:7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Believe me, this doesn’t come easy for me. It is easy to complain, be rude, or insulting to governing officials I don’t align with. Perhaps you struggle with the same. Lord, forgive me and help me to honor you by honoring and respecting those you have allowed to be in authority over me.
Apply: What blessings have you received from governing officials that you support through the paying of your taxes? To what official do you struggle to show respect? Ask the Lord for strength to show respect, even if you don’t agree or in how you choose to disagree.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for our governing officials. Forgive me for complaining about and being disrespectful to them. As I pay taxes and show respect, let me remember that these are your servants through whom you intend to bless me. AMEN.
GOVERNMENT: God’s Servants to Bring Punishment!
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!
Human justice is not always perfect justice.
However, God has entrusted his arm of justice to the rulers of a government.
They are God’s servants to bring “punishment on the wrongdoer.”
No problem, if you don’t break the law. Big problem if you do.
Romans 13:4-5 But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Remember, one of the main purposes of government is the safety of its citizens. Laws are enacted (in general) to provide for that safety. The government also has a right to enforce those laws and punish the wrong doer.
Our country has been rocked recently by unrest over alleged police brutality. As a result, some feel they are justified in breaking the law or striking out against law enforcement. Without knowing all the details of every situation, I will suggest that when law enforcement is called it is because either a law was broken or the safety of individuals was at stake. Without justifying police who over step their role (for which they too are accountable to God), police are acting as servants of God when they enforce the law and bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Our court system and judges are servants of God when they apply the law and bring punishment on the wrongdoer. God is a God of law and justice. He asks the governments he has established to be the same.
So pray for all those in our government that are entrusted with the sword of punishment. Ask the Lord to give them all the wisdom to discern when and how to act as his servants of wrath.
Sounds like a strange prayer to ask the Lord to enable government to be his agents of punishment. It is, but if every government is established by God’s authority, they too are given authority to punish the wrong doer.
So God asks us to submit to the authorities, not challenge them, subvert them, or try to overpower them. They are God’s servants. If you do what is right, you have nothing to fear…only if you do wrong. If you do wrong, don’t be surprised when you encounter one of God’s servants with a badge who has been entrusted with the responsibility to bring punishment on you, the wrongdoer.
But don’t submit, just because you fear punishment. Submit because of conscience. It’s the right thing to do…especially for God’s child. When you recognize God has established the authority, he has allowed the laws of the land and called upon that authority to be his servant and punish the wrongdoer, we will naturally want to align our behavior to not just avoid jail, but to honor the LORD. A conscience guided by the Spirit of God will walk in step with that Spirit, and thus avoid facing the one who bears the sword.
“Law and Order” shouldn’t just be a TV program or campaign slogan, but the reality of a society living at peace…with authority enforcing the law to keep order and safety and citizens obeying the law to show respect not just to the governing officials, but to show respect and honor to the LORD, the one who has established governments and asked them to be servants of punishment.
Apply: How does this truth of Scripture help to guide my behavior in the country in which I live and my interaction with those that “do not bear the sword for no reason.”?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving your desire for justice and upholding right and punishing wrong to governing authorities. Grant them wisdom to be your servants in this arena so we may all live safe, peaceful and productive lives. AMEN.
GOVERNMENT: Servants of God?
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!
Are you for real?
The President? Senators? Representatives? Governors? Mayors? … God’s servants?
Sounds strange doesn’t it to think that a public official would add to their title, “Servant of God.” Especially in our culture that wants to eliminate referencing God in the public square, to state that governing officials are God’s Servants sounds almost as bad as fingernails on a chalk board…especially when those governing officials appear to do everything BUT serve the will of God.
But they ARE God’s Servants.
The term “servant” designates a relationship of authority. I could be Vice President and hold a lot of authority, but still “serve” the President whose authority supersedes mine. To be a “servant” is to indicate there is one who holds more authority than I and there is one to whom I am accountable.
Whether a public official realizes it or not, they do not have ultimate authority. God does. They may think they do and act like they do, but one day even they will have to bow the knee before Jesus and give account for how well they carried out the role of God’s servant to those whom they had authority over.
It makes sense. If every authority exists because God allows it to exist, every authority exists to serve at the will of God.
Consider these two references to Old Testament Kings…one good one and one bad one.
King David…servant of God: (David did recognize the LORD’s authority over him.)
1 Chronicles 17:23 “And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be established forever. Do as you promised, 24 so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, ‘The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!’ And the house of your servant David will be established before you.
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon…servant of God: (What??? God would use a heathen king to bring judgment on his people Israel.)
Jeremiah 25:9 I will summon all the peoples of the north and my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon,” declares the Lord, “and I will bring them against this land and its inhabitants and against all the surrounding nations. I will completely destroy w them and make them an object of horror and scorn, and an everlasting ruin.
It ought not surprise us that God can and does use governing authorities to carry out his will for his people. He’s God and the ultimate ruler over all.
Romans 13:4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.
Governing officials serve God by brings good things to his people. What are the good things God blesses you with through our government? Government provides protection and safety through local police, state troopers, National Guard and our military forces. Government provides a system of travel and roads to give us freedom of movement to buy, sell, visit, and engage in life. Government allows our churches to be exempt from property and income taxes to allow more dollars to go toward Gospel ministry. Government provides schools to provide education for our children (not perfect, but good in many ways). What others would you add?
I agree, it’s strange to think of governing officials as God’s Servants…but they are, whether they realize it or not, there for your good.
Apply: What good things have your received from God through your governing officials?
Prayer: LORD, thank you for being the ultimate authority in faith and life. Lead all those in positions of authority to realize their authority comes from you and understand they are your servants there to bring good to people. AMEN.
GOVERNMENT: Established by God!
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 6 of 6: “The Impact of Citizenship!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: GOVERNMENT…Servants of God!
Even the ungodly ones?
Established by God?
Yes.
Even the ungodly ones are established by God.
This line of reasoning is hard to swallow, but it comes from the Apostle Paul, who ministered under the reign Emperor Claudius and then was executed by Emperor Nero in AD 66. Claudius expelled the Christians from Rome and Nero became one of the greatest persecutors of Christians.
They too? Established by God?
Yes.
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 13:1 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
The statement speaks to the origin of authority in government and to the reality that there is a higher authority than the governing authorities. Paul knew this and God wants us to know this. Whether the governing authority recognizes or reveres God or not, he rules under the authority God has established.
Every ruler has a beginning and end to their reign. God doesn’t. His reign and authority last forever. Mary in her Magnificat reflected the fact that God is at work in bringing down rulers and raising them up.
Luke 1:52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
Jesus when questioned by Pilate reminded Pilate of where his power comes from, yet ironically submits to that power even though his power as God superseded that of Pilate.
John 19:9-11 “Where do you come from?” [Pilate] asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.
Governments and governing officials are not perfect and do not always acknowledge God as the source of their authority. However, it doesn’t change the fact that God is the one who allows governing authorities to exist and we are subject to these authorities.
Whether we agree with them or not, we live under the authority that God has allowed governing officials to have. As long as they do not demand we disobey God, we live as citizens of our nation, honoring God by honoring and falling under the authority they have been given.
It’s no wonder that Paul encouraged Timothy and us in 1 Timothy 2:2 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
The godly and ungodly governments, all established by God.
Apply: How does your interaction with governing authorities change when you realize that the authority they have has been entrusted to them by God?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for our government. As imperfect as it is, you have established it for our good. As we are subject to these officials, we do pray that they lead in such a way that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. AMEN
The Blessings of Generosity!
Daily Devotions based on the Sermon Series: “Timely Teaching for Turbulent Times”
Week 5 of 6: “The Impact of Generosity!”
Full Sunday message: CONTEMPORARY or TRADITIONAL
THIS WEEK: Impact of Generosity
What’s in it for me?
If we expend time energy and effort, we generally expect that we will receive something in return. If I pay money to a store, I leave with the product I want. Even if I give something away for “free,” I expect that I will receive a referral for business, or additional purchases as a result.
It’s hard to give freely without expecting something in return.
But that’s what generosity is. Generosity is giving of our time, energy, effort, and finances without EXPECTING something in return.
The amazing impact of God’s generosity, is he again promises blessings for those who are generous. Take a look.
- God promises blessing to the work that you do.
Deuteronomy 15:10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
2. Generosity sets an example for your children, who in turn will be a blessing to others.
Psalm 37:26 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
3. Goodness comes those who are generous and act with justice.
Psalm 112:5 Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
4. Generosity precedes prosperity.
Proverbs 11:25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
5. Blessing follows generosity
Proverbs 22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
One word of caution and clarification. Our sinful nature loves to take these passages and “make deals” with God. They sound like, “I will give more to your kingdom work Lord, but I expect to get a raise at work.” DO NOT program how God should repay your generosity. As soon as you do, it is no longer generosity driving your gift, but rather greed.
Generosity and how God blesses you through it are connected, but separate. Give generously because God has given generously to you. Period. If, when and how God chooses to bless you, receive it with thanks as another evidence that a gracious and loving God loves to be generous to his children.
Enjoy the generosity God has given you. Be generous in every situation. Enjoy the blessings God gives to those who live generously by faith in him.
Apply: What blessings have you received in connection to times where you have been generous?
PRAYER: Lord, again thank you for impacting my life with your generosity. Use me in every situation to impact others with the same generosity you have shown to me. AMEN.