Here we have a group of sincere disciples. They have given everything to Christ. They are learning their lessons each day, remaining in their prison, surviving five minutes at a time, trusting that their brothers and sisters also are enduring patiently their own crosses. Maybe they are in an area of persecution and are in constant danger of imprisonment, torture, or death.

In their group there may be believers just like themselves, sharing the elements of the Communion, giving of their substance, praying with them, fellowshiping with them, working hard to help with the tasks of the assembly.

Yet they may be holding back part of the proceeds, so to speak. They have reserved enough money and possessions to protect themselves in case of an emergency. They may reason that they are doing this in order to assist the group, but they are lying to themselves. Their concern is themselves and their close family—especially themselves.

I am not saying by this that the Christians in America should not set aside money for their retirement or for a medical emergency. I am speaking rather of splitting their allegiance between God and the world. Only the individual believer can determine to what extent he or she genuinely is giving his or her best to Christ.

Actually, Christ does not need our money or service. It is true rather that He makes an opportunity for us to give of ourselves to God so when the Kingdom comes we can share in the joy of the inheritance. What we will receive in the Day of Resurrection is directly proportional to the extent to which we give of ourselves and our possessions to the work of the Gospel. Some will reap thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.

It grieves me when I see people who are losing part or all of their inheritance because of their unwillingness to be totally sincere with God. Life is so short! This is our one opportunity to serve the King!

I have observed this lack of diligent consecration on more than one occasion. It exists because of the generations of American Christians who have learned how to play the "church game," that is, to talk great religious talk in the church service, and then go out to live their lives in their own way, meanwhile criticizing and slandering their brothers and sisters of the assembly. From what I have seen, this whole generation is fated to die in the wilderness of unbelief and disobedience. I guess it will have to be the children and the new Christians who will be sold out to God to the extent that they can inherit the fullness of the Kingdom of God. We who are pastors and elders must begin to build such integrity today, for it has not, with notable exceptions, existed in the past. A few Joshuas and Calebs might help lead the way!

To be continued.