Living in the Lap of Lordship

Twenty-first century America seems to be enamored by the lives of the young and wealthy. One might say that they are living life in the lap of luxury. The tabloids, as well as the news media, seem to furnish the public with a plethora of scandalous stories that fuel the ever existing flame of curiosity. These individuals who have mocked God with their licentious lifestyle will not so much as be named in this article. However, there are some lessons that can be learned from such persons and the path that they have chosen in life. Many will ask the question as to the cause of such tragedy in the lives of such promising talent. The Biblically ignorant rise with pious smugness and illuminate our intellect as to the fact that money is the root of all evil. As spiritual as this may sound, it simply is not true, and furthermore it is wresting the scripture by private interpretation. According to 2 Peter 1:20, it is a sin to place our own interpretation upon the Word of God. The Bible states with great clarity, in 1 Timothy 6:10, that the “love of money” is the root of all evil. The scripture goes on to state that when money is “coveted after”, the lives of the covetous are in great jeopardy. Jesus Himself stated in Matthew19:24 that it is easier for a camel to go through the needle’s eye than it would be for a man of great wealth to enter into the kingdom of God. Does this verse emphatically indicate that a man of financial means cannot be saved? May the author answer with passion: absolutely not! A careful and comprehensive look at the Word of God will reveal several men of great wealth who simultaneously were men of great worship. King David, a man after God’s own heart, gave sacrificially of his own money for the building of Solomon’s Temple. 1 Chronicles 29:3-5 reveals to us that David gave an offering of over $100,000,000 toward the building of Solomon’s Temple. There are many other examples that could be extracted from the scriptures as proof text for this point. The problem has nothing to do with financial wealth and everything to do with fleshly wickedness. The doctrine of covetousness, as is expounded in scripture, magnifies to the Bible student the excessive wickedness of this sin and its consequences.

As we look at the propagation of the modern day prosperity gospel with its appalling neglect of contextual interpretation, there is seemingly a shying away from teaching what God’s word has to say about money, and His desire to funnel it through the life of the believer. What does the Bible have to say regarding this matter? Consider what Solomon had to say in Proverbs 13:22, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.” Again he states in Proverbs 28:8, “He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.” As Solomon moves into the book of Ecclesiastes he writes: “For God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to him that is good before God. This also is vanity and vexation of spirit.” The scriptures seem to indicate that God’s design is to take financial resources away from the wicked, and place them in the coffers of the righteous for the purpose of furthering the Kingdom of God on this earth. If this is true as the Bible seems to indicate, why are so many believers living such substandard lives in regard to their personal financial portfolio? The answer to that question is twofold. First, the answer lies within the foundation framework of the human nature. A man by nature is internally centered upon himself, and has the fulfillment of his own needs and wants at the forefront of his own personal agenda. Secondly, we find that man by nature is averse toward submitting himself to the authority of another. Rebellion has brewed in the heart of humanity since the Garden of Eden and will never change until our vile bodies are changed into the likeness of His glorious body. Therefore, we conclude that man comes short of God’s intended plan for his life because of a problem with selfishness and submission. Many desire to live in the “lap of luxury,” but few have a desire to live in the “lap of Lordship.”

A study of Psalm 111 is a revelation into the mind of the Lord regarding His divine intention for Israel. The Psalmist, in verse six, records the desire and direction of Jehovah for the Children of Israel when he states, “He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.” We begin our expositional journey through this chapter by musing upon what God’s intention is for those who belong to Him. He longs to “give” us the “heritage of the heathen.” What does this mean? Simply this, God wants to take from the heathen that which they have acquired and deposit in your account for His honor and glory.

Initially we see that no author is ascribed to this psalm. It could have been King David or his son King Solomon. It may even have been Asaph. Possibly, this chapter was written by Moses, who also authored Psalm 90. I personally believe from the context that the contents of this Psalm were written by Moses. The author of this chapter regardless of who it may be is reflecting upon the greatness of the Lord and His desire for those whom He has chosen. Verse six of the chapter is gloriously exciting as it reveals Jehovah’s plan. Psalm 111:6 discloses the fact that God wants to bestow the “heritage of the heathen” upon Israel. This means that Israel has wealth that is unclaimed. There is a land flowing with milk and honey they have not yet possessed. There are cities that have been built for them to occupy, but they have yet to reside in them. The question is not one of possession, but one of position. Israel has a possession that God has given them for an inheritance, but they have yet to position themselves to receive it. This truth is applicable for the believer today. God desires to give the believer what the heathen possess. However, the hindrance in claiming our inheritance has to do with our position under His Lordship.

The Psalm is entirely about the Lord, His power and person. His name “LORD” is mentioned four times in the chapter. There are also twenty-one personal pronouns that reference Him as Lord. This name is the word Jehovah, and its definition deals with His self-existence and eternal nature. This name also implies that He is supreme in absolute authority. It seems as if fundamental Baptists are opposed to the use of the term Lordship. A preacher once asked me what I thought about the Lordship of Christ, to which I responded, “He is.” You cannot make Him something He already is. The question is not one regarding His position as much as it is your submission. Submission to the Lordship of Christ is imperative to obtaining what God intends for us to have. Much preaching today has to do with surrendering your life to God. The Lord is more interested in your submission than He is your surrender. A man surrenders when he sees there is no other option. A man submits because he is addicted to the authority of another, and for loves sake he humbly accepts his position under that authority. The Christian must understand that Lordship is not a loss of freedom, but an opening into the great resources that God intends to bequeath upon him. Are you living below your birthright? God’s Word has clearly stated that He intends to take “heritage of the heathen” and place it in your life, but are you positioned to receive it? Do you not want all that God has for your life? Psalms 111 explains every avenue by which the child of God may position himself to gain all that the Lord has for his life. In the upcoming issue of this publication we will continue our journey through this text. Do you want to inherit the “heritage of the heathen?” Are you living in the lap of Lordship?