"You have said, 'It is vain to serve God; and what profit is it that we have kept His charge, and that we have walked in mourning before YHWH of hosts? So now we call the arrogant blessed; not only are the doers of wickedness built up but they also test God and escape.'" (Mal 3:14-15)Interesting accusation. Luckily we don't see that anymore. Especially from God's own people. Or ... do we?
The accusation is that serving God is vain, that it isn't profitable. I think, if we were honest, we might think the same. Maybe not full time, but sometimes. Is it profitable to obey all we are commanded? Do we forgive as we are forgiven, or is that, sometimes, a bad idea? Is it really a good idea to love as Jesus loved, or love God with your whole heart? Is it ... profitable to serve and obey God? It doesn't look like it, sometimes. Look how the wicked succeed. Is that us, speaking arrogantly against God?
We'd all have to admit it is at times. Oh, sometimes it's not conscious. Sometimes it's an oversight or an error. But each of us at some point will think, "Is it really in my best interest to do what God says in this situation?" His word for that is arrogance. Most interesting to me, though, is that God talks in terms of "profit." We will often think in terms of "duty," but do we understand that obedience is profitable? God thinks so. I suspect if we understood that, it might encourage us to obey more.
2 comments:
We imply this every time we sin. We believe the disobedience to be more profitable than obedience. It is good to think of obedience not only as a duty, but as good for us. God is our designer, and this He would know how what is best for our function. Knowing, enjoying, and glorifying God are not only commands, but are best for us.
I can definitely relate to having those qualms about choosing to follow God--i.e. taking the narrow path and the hard way, over breezing down the wide path the world enjoys. I made that initial hard choice at age 20, when young adults are typically envisioning their whole life ahead of them--and the freedoms therein that they are eager to enjoy. And, as you say, that commitment is tested constantly throughout our days and our years. When I look back on my life now, almost 50 years later, and think about how those choices have played out, I clearly see the benefit of obeying God and following His ways. I know that His parameters for godly living have spared me much pain and suffering and guided me well. I am seeing for myself those “returns on my investment” of sorts--similar to how one would see benefits after years of pursuing a long-term fitness program or saving money for retirement (two areas I have not invested in as prudently, as it so happens). “Profit and Loss”? In my view, when I consider my current abundant life and my joyful afterlife to come, it’s been all profit and no loss--totally characteristic of a generous, benevolent, and loving God!
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