John F Avanzini - Christians who beg! : what does the Bible say?

Contents

Traditional Interpretations

Let's start with a shocking statement. There is a force more powerful than the Word of God, a power that affects every born-again Christian. That force is your tradition.

... you are nullifying and making void and of no effect ... the Word of God through your tradition....

Mark 7:13, Amplified

Do not make the mistake of thinking the Church does not oppose traditions, for there is an aggressive resistance against them. Should we count beads (the Rosary) when we pray? Is it proper to burn incense in church? How about candles? Are they okay for the dead? Make no mistake about it. Protestants firmly resist these ancient Christian traditions.

Strange as it may seem, Jesus is not speaking of ceremonial traditions in the above verse. He is speaking of traditional interpretations. The Church has often accepted misinformation as the truth because of tradition.

In World War II, the Allied forces used the weapon of misinformation most effectively in the Normandy invasion . Through a number of strategic releases of false information, the Allies caused the enemy to believe something that wasn't quite true. They convinced the Axis powers that they were going to focus their invasion north of Normandy. Because their enemies accepted and believed this deception, the Allies were able to shorten the war considerably.

Satan also uses the weapon of misinformation. He uses it to deceive the whole world.

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world....

Revelation 12:9

This verse explains why some churches spend so much time arguing with each other. We are deceived by the misinformation of our traditions.

In this booklet, I will attempt to expose one of these deceptions, and replace it with biblical truth, for it is time to restore proper understanding of the Word of God.

... repent ... and return [to God] .... that He may send [to you] ... Jesus, Whom heaven must receive [and retain] until the time for the complete restoration of all that God spoke by the mouth of all His holy prophets ....

Acts 3:19-21, Amplified

There can be no question about it. The end of the age is at hand, and we are seeing the fulfillment of Simon Peter's prophecy of complete restoration.

Gods Seed Begging Bread?

There is a verse of Scripture that most Christians seem to misunderstand. Not only that, but misunderstanding this verse causes several other scriptures to lose their intended meaning.

The verse I speak of is from the Book of Psalms. Hear King David as he speaks of an observation he made.

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Psalm 37:25

How reassuring these words sound when hard times come. I can remember a number of times when they sounded like music to my ears. In the early years of my Christianity, our young family (my wife and five children) went through some very tight years. It was a time of going to Bible college and establishing a fledgling church. During those years, the soup was always thin.

I regularly received encouragement from preachers who would say, "Remember, God will see you through. You can count on His Word" Many times they would add this Bible quotation to their encouragement. "I was young, and now I'm old, and I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread."

I cannot count the times this verse comforted me. However, there came a day that it condemned me. It happened at a time when we were vacating a house we had rented. The moving van of the new tenants was parked at our front door. They were all set to move in the next day at noon. I remember confidently waiting for the mailman, convinced God would not let me down. After all, His Word plainly stated that His seed would never have to beg!

Much to my surprise, the mailman came and went without delivering the money I needed for the move. Finally, out of desperation, I called my brother-in-law. It was hard for me to speak those words. However, I finally asked, "Can you please lend me $250 to rent a trailer so we can move?" You guessed it. His answer was an apologetic but firm no! I even pleaded with him, but he was not able to help me.

All of a sudden, deep depression rolled over me as I realized I was begging. How could this be when Scripture plainly stated that His seed would never beg? My next thought almost floored me, for now the devil started talking. "John, don't you get it? You must not be saved. If you were a child of God, you wouldn't be begging for money."

I honestly believe if there had been more time, I would have fallen apart. However, desperation drove me to dial the number I least wanted to call. It was my father's house. I had been employed by him before leaving for Bible college . He was the one who had spoken to me so strongly before I left for school. He had encouraged me to carefully count the cost of my decision, for I had a wife and children. He repeatedly emphasized that the job I was leaving behind was a good one. He felt my actions might be irresponsible. Even as I dialed his number, I could recall saying with confidence, "Dad, you don't understand. God will provide. The Bible says you will never see the children of the Lord begging bread." Now, out of desperation, I was calling for help.

As soon as I heard his voice, an unexplainable peace came over me. After a short greeting, I reluctantly came to the purpose of my call. "Dad, can you help me? I need $250 to rent a trailer and pay the fuel for our move to Amarillo. And Dad, I need it right away."

The next thing I heard brought even more peace. Dad said, "Why, John, if you are driving your family and furniture all the way to Amarillo, Texas, you will need more than $250. Why don't I send you $500? By the way, let's not make it a loan. It will be a gift to you and your family from Mama and me. We love you so much and want only the best for all of you. The money will be at the Western Union office in your city first thing tomorrow. God bless you, and get a good night's sleep. You will need to be rested for your journey."

Uncertainty Increases

I could not stop thinking about this series of events! The very Word of God that had comforted me was now condemning me. Something was very wrong. Not only was Psalm 37:25 speaking against me, but Satan brought up another verse to torment me. It was Paul's word to the Philippians.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

What was going on? Did God's Word mean what it said or not? Did it work only part of the time, or every time? Needless to say, the termites of doubt were quickly eating away what was left of my faith. It became obvious that the same scriptures that previously built my confidence were now dismantling it.

Then I noticed something ugly begin to happen. I was taking on a new mentality. Now don't misunderstand. I didn't stop believing God's Word. However, I did stop putting my full confidence in it. A paradox was forming. I still believed with all my heart the Bible was true. However, I began to feel it was risky for me to depend totally upon it, especially when it came to supplying the everyday needs of my family. I had slipped into a soulish walk with God, one that was half faith and half reasoning. I fully trusted God for my salvation, but when it came to supplying my day-to-day necessities, I believed I was basically on my own.

I am sure some of the things you are reading are bearing witness with you. How can the Word of God say that you will never see the seed of God begging bread? How can it say God will supply all of your needs, especially when you frequently see Christians begging and doing without? Worse than that, many times your own needs go unmet. Oh yes, I know your bumper sticker says, "My God Shall Supply All My