Have you ever noticed that people often change the name of something if it helps them to get what they really wanted in the first place? Or they will come up with a really good use for something when they really have no intention of using it in that way.
The “Memorial” Stone
A woman's husband dies. He had $20,000 to his name. After everything is done at the funeral home and cemetery, she tells her closest friend that there is no money left.
The friend says, "How can that be? You told me he had $20,000 a few days before he died. How could you be broke?"
The widow says, "Well, the funeral cost me $6,500. And of course, I had to make the obligatory donation for the church and the organist and all. That was $500, and I spent another $500 for the wake, food, and drinks, you know. The rest went for the memorial stone."
The friend says, "$12,500 for the memorial stone? My stars, how big was it?"
The widow says, "Three carats!"
Have you ever noticed that people often change the name of something if it helps them to get what they really wanted in the first place? Or they will come up with a really good use for something when they really have no intention of using it in that way.
Teenagers will tell their parents how wonderful it would be to have their own cell phone, you know, so they can tell you exactly where they are at all times. Right! Or they may tell how about how much easier it would be on Mom and Dad “if I just had my own transportation to school?” And we all know how wearing the right clothes will make us feel better about ourselves and therefore cause us to make better grades!
We often laugh at the lengths our teenagers will go to put something they want in terms that they think will convince their parents to buy it or to give permission to do it. But where do you suppose they learned that strategy in the first place? That’s right, from their parents!
In religious matters we often see the same thing done by the “adults.”
- People like to be entertained but let’s be sure to call it worship.
- All of us enjoy good food and many of us enjoy playing games. In other words, let’s have “fellowship.”
- We don’t really want to forgive brother or sister ‘so in so,’ so let’s call it “tough love.”
I’ve even heard of one congregation that “wanted to be ready for another result like the day of Pentecost” so they built an eight-lane baptistery!
We may fool each other, but it is foolish to try to fool God. He knows our true intentions.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Heb 4:12)
And on the positive side, this also lets us know that although others may interpret our motives as being less than pure, God knows the integrity of our hearts. Let’s be genuine and straightforward in our dealings with others and especially with God. After all, it’s foolish to do otherwise.
Have a great week!