For God's Sake

The human tendency towards selfishness is as real as the force of gravity on earth, and we naturally have incredible capacity to be self-serving.  While the term "public servant" may fit some politicians, it seems some are more focused on serving their party or promoting their own careers.  We see among God's people this rings true as well, for John observed among Christians those who wanted the pre-eminence, putting self first in ministry, rather than being servants of all as demonstrated by our LORD Jesus Christ (3 John 9).  King Saul went and fought the Amalekites at God's command, yet he and the people spared the best of the spoils for themselves--all under the guise of doing it for God's sake.

This is something we must keep in mind, that the very thing we do for God can become something we start doing for ourselves and our glory.  There is nothing wrong in itself by constructing an ornate, expensive building for the worship of God that in itself is a work of art.  Under the guise of doing something great for God, at the centre can be thoughts for ourselves and our glory.  A grand edifice can become the source of pride as great Babylon was for King Nebuchadnezzar who was proud of his accomplishments and legacy.  He derived status and satisfaction from what he saw with his eyes sprawled before him and failed to recognise the unseen God of Israel and credit Him for his blessings with humility, reverence and worship.  The grandeur of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom revealed the poverty and shallowness of his thanks and gratitude to God.

When Solomon was building the temple in Jerusalem according to God's design, 11 Kings 6:11-13 says:  "Then the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying: ¹² "Concerning this temple which you are building, if you walk in My statutes, execute My judgments, keep all My commandments, and walk in them, then I will perform My word with you, which I spoke to your father David. ¹³ And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel."  God never asked or commanded David to build a permanent structure to house the Ark of the Covenant or His holy presence.  God was pleased for His presence to dwell within curtains, and did not feel slighted David dwelt in a house of cedar.  Yet this seemed a terrible injustice to David who delighted in the LORD, and God gave Him permission and dimensions for the house his son Solomon would build.  Though nothing we build can rival the temple Solomon built, our labours of love, efforts and accomplishments can become a source of pride.

In His word to Solomon, notice God showed no concern for the imported stone, expensive timber and gold.  It was not ornate carvings or imposing size of the stones that made the LORD welcome to dwell therein:  God's condition for dwelling among His people was they walk in His statutes, execute His judgments, keep all His commandments and walk in them.  God cared much more about the condition of the hearts of His people than a building, that they would simply listen to Him and love Him, that they would be godly and have sanctified hearts He valued infinitely more than gold of Ophir.  The temple in Jerusalem was never intended by God to be a reflection of His goodness, power, majesty and grandeur because of the size or expense:  His people were to reflect Him by their humility, generosity and love with one another.  From the very beginning of creation and for all eternity, God's desire is to dwell among His people who love Him, and may our lives be lived for His glory through our faith, glad submission and obedience to Him.

If God's people would walk in His statutes and keep His commandments, God promised to dwell among His people and not forsake them.  Jesus has established the new covenant in His own blood, and having been born again by faith in Jesus the Holy Spirit now takes up residence in our own hearts.  Isn't this amazing, that we are the temple of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us?  Hebrews 13:5-6 says to us, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ⁶ So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"  Knowing God dwells with us, we need not covet a bigger or newer church building--as if we need that to serve Him better or glorify Him more.  Since God will never leave or forsake us and always helps us, we can rejoice to faithfully minister unto Him right where we are.  Our problem is not using everything at our disposal for His glory and simultaneously imagine what we are doing for ourselves is for His sake.