TODAY'S BARGAINOMICS BIBLE PASSAGE

The Lord had a problem with how His people were doing “church” in Amos’ time. Let’s see if we see any correlation with today’s churches:

“I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies. Even though you bring Me offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring Me choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps!” (Amos 5:21-23).

We can go through all the “right” motions and fail to please God. How’s that? Look at Jesus’ words to the religious know-it-alls of His day: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25).

In other words, as the Lord said to Samuel, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Samuel 16:7). He saw the hearts of His people in the Old Testament; He saw the hearts of the people in the New Testament; and He sees the hearts of the people who claim His Name today.

And sadly, we’re sometimes no different than those other folks. We’re “full of greed and self-indulgence.” We do “church as usual.” We may tithe; teach; sing; or play music – we may even do all four! But God knows our hearts – and so often what He sees within us breaks His.

God’s people should be the last people on earth to be dishonest. God’s people should be the last people on earth to lack compassion, since they’re indwelt by Compassion Incarnate. God’s people should know that going to church is going to the FILLING station and that the work is OUT IN THE FIELDS.

We can’t mistreat others and rightly represent Jesus. And there’s more to mistreating than we sometimes think about. Neglect is a form of mistreatment. I personally know pastors who stand in the pulpit and preach the love of Jesus while refusing to forgive and reconcile with people who have offended them. I personally know of believers who wouldn’t dare miss a church service, but they allow their elderly parents to sit home alone day after day without so much as a phone call. God forgive us!

And He wants to. He wants us to repent. And He wants us to be like Him – He even tells us how: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24).

We’ve received far more than “justice” from our Heavenly Father – He’s extended His grace and mercy. Do likewise; treat others fairly. We’ve been given “the righteousness of God” (Second Corinthians 5:21) through our Lord Jesus Christ. Walk in Him. Walk like Him.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture is from the New International Version (NIV).