We are to be a “peculiar people zealous of good works”, which is fruit. Our zeal for the Lord (or lack thereof) is infectious, and we will have to give an account for our effect on others Do we want a millstone hung about our necks for offending one of the little ones?
- 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, andthat he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
- Mark 9:42 And whosoever shall offend one ofthese little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
- Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Consider how Moses reproved Reuben, Gad, and half tribe of Manasseh in Num 32:5-7. Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan. 6 And Moses said unto the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben, Shall your brethren go to war, and shall ye sit here? 7 And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?…
Num 32:14-15 And, behold, ye are risen up in your fathers’ stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment yet the fierce anger of the LORD toward Israel. 15 For if ye turn away from after him, he will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and ye shall destroy all this people. …
Num 32:20-23 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war, 21 And will go all of you armed over Jordan before the LORD, until he hath driven out his enemies from before him, 22 And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD. 23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
We can see from this, it is a SIN to discourage others through our lack of encouraging by working with them. If the Lord had provided for those tribes, then technically they didn’t need to go fight in Canaan with their brethren – they already had their inheritance. Let the others fight for their own, right? But God expected them to consider their brethren before their own needs, and their encouragement was ESSENTIAL, indespensable, even mandatory.
Every single person is necessary in the body in every good work, even those who are not eyes or hands (1 Cor. 12). Many folks think their particular lives are so hard, maybe the Lord wouldn’t expect them to kill themselves to be at every assembly or in every good work, especially since they’re so tired, and “it’s not all that encouraging anyway.”
People who think their presence is unnecessary, that it’s not important to always be at every “minor” meeting such as ladies’ class or mid-week Bible studies, or even to participate in some good work together, are discouraging the hearts of others, and will be judged for their own actions (lack of zeal and good fruit) AS WELL AS for the EFFECT their actions had on others of the Lord’s Body. We needn’t think our actions are just to ourselves. We are commanded to consider others better than ourselves and look not on our own things, but on the things of others. How is forsaking the assembly considering others? It isn’t. It’s purely selfish laziness.
We must never forget that we are to be building together in one another with God. Are we slothful, one-talent stewards who don’t think God could possibly expect that much of us?
1 Cor 3:10-17 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
In contrast, our zeal and love for the Lord can have excellent effects on others.
2 Cor 9:1-2 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you: 2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
Those of us who feel that we are “lesser” members and have no impact need to realize that the smallest of gestures of the least member may have a huge impact on the work of the Lord, even for the strongest of members.
Acts 28:14-15 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome. 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
We should consider God’s value of those who encourage others in righteousness. Mal 2:4-7 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. 5 My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. 7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
(We are priests today. Note the rest of the chapter to see what God thinks of priests who are not doing their job.)
Timothy was a great encouragement to Paul, by his naturally caring for others’ estates, and actively working WITH Paul, not forsaking him like Demas.
Ps 122:1 A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
Ps 134:1 A Song of degrees. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.
–Beth Johnson