A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day – January 14, 2020
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)
Many years ago, I sat in on a church business meeting. I had not actually gone to church to attend the business meeting, but I was already there, so I stayed. After all, if I had gone home, I would have probably watched television, and there is no way that a TV show could be as entertaining as a church business meeting.
The first order of business was the financial report. It was noted that the church had over $30,000 in a savings account that had been sitting idle for several years. Nothing else was mentioned about the $30,000 and the financial report was approved.
When it came time for new business, someone mentioned that there were several families that lived in a certain area who had expressed an interest in coming to church. Because some of the parents were working singles, they had no transportation for their children. In other words, they wanted to come to church, but did not have a way to get there.
Eventually, the discussion centered on the prospect of the church buying a small van to pick up these people and bring them to church. It was at this point the chairman of the board of deacons stood up and made this remark. He said, “I’m sure if we buy this van that we will be able to pick up a few new people in the church. And, I realize that there may be some new converts. But, I would rather have the money in the bank than a few new faces in the church. Wouldn’t you?”
I could hardly believe my ears. How can we place a price on the lives of those who are lost? How can we put a limited value on a soul? Jesus gave everything for them. We should do the same.
In Matthew 18:11-14, Jesus said, “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
Here Jesus made a very interesting statement. He said that God, the Father, in heaven does not want anyone to perish. He wants everyone to be in the fold. It is His will that no one should be destroyed.
Now, of course there are restrictions. Sometimes we just don’t have the resources to do everything we want to do. But we must make every attempt to spread the good news of Jesus.
Later at the same business meeting someone asked the deacon who didn’t want to spend the money, what he would rather do with the $30,000. He said, “I’d rather just leave it in the bank and do nothing with it.” And that’s what they voted to do.
So, here’s the point. We must have the same goals and desires that God has. God’s desire is that all should be saved. He has brought the good news of salvation to a lost and dying world. We must now do our part. We must do all we can. We must do whatever is necessary. We must win the lost, whatever the cost.
