Topic(s): Bible Study

What’s the difference between eating at a buffet and eating at a cafeteria? And what does this possibly have to do with Christianity?

Both are pretty common in this country because of the abundance of food and the fact that more people eat out more often in this country than anywhere else in the world. Because of this, our language now includes heretofore unknown and seldom used words such as “buffet” or “cafeteria.”

A “buffet” is for those who wish to eat all they want in quantity and variety. A “cafeteria” is for those who want to pick and choose from various foods offered and receiving just a standard portion, thus limiting the quantity. In neither case does one need to get anything he doesn’t like (a balanced diet).

We may carry the concept of these words into our Christianity. We may use the cafeteria approach to Bible study—flipping through the pages of God’s Word and only picking out what looks good to us. The problem with this is that we are being fed only that which we like and have no room left for that which God knows is good for us (much like a child left to himself may eat only dessert). Look at it from God’s point of view. He has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3), and just like a steady diet of meat without vegetables would be unhealthy, a steady diet of “first principles only” has the same effect on a Christian (Hebrews 5:12-14). Have we “warmed the pew” for years and not expanded our knowledge of the Word? Have we neglected to accept any part of that which God has declared is “good and profitable” (Titus 3:8)?

On the other hand, some take the buffet approach in examining the Word—taking that which appeals to them and coming back for seconds, thirds, and fourths of this particular subject (e.g., grace) to the neglect of all other subjects (e.g., obedience, faithfulness). There have been religious bodies set up to accommodate both these groups, those who pick and choose small portions of the Bible and those who dwell only on one area of the Scripture and largely neglect other teachings. Both have a concept foreign to God’s wishes.

For a Christian to grow as God wishes, a steady, balanced diet of His Word must be a part of his life. A Christian must “study to shew thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). As Christians, let us “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves…” (2 Corinthians 13:5). We should strive to accept God’s Word for what it is: “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). If we use God’s Word in this way, it will become a part of everything we do.

What A Dollar Bill Did

Topic(s): Priorities

An Illinois businessman pinned a piece of paper to a $1 bill, asking each person who spent it to write down what it was spent for, then send the bill back into circulation for two weeks. It came out like this.

• 10 times it was spent for tobacco.
• 5 times it went for candy.
• 4 times for notions.
• 3 times for meals.
• 1 time for auto parts.
• 1 time for groceries.
• 1 time for toothpaste.

Not one time did the Lord have a chance at that dollar! What about my dollars?

“ Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase” - Proverbs 3:9