IN THE SIGHT OF MEN

IN THE SIGHT OF MEN

2 Corinthians 8:16-24 (KJV)

But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you.

And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you.

Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.

 

Remember the context of 2 Corinthians chapters 8-9. This is a key passage on the subject of New Testament Christian giving.

 

·   Paul motivated the Church in Corinth to give with the testimony of the churches of Macedonia.

·   He used the example of Christ to support his teaching on giving abundantly

·   He has cautioned them that, even though he’s urged them to give, it must be a free will offering and not forced.

 

In the final segment of this chapter, Paul addressed the subject of accountability.

 

He has done that by selecting three men, Titus and two others, and endorsing them to the Church in Corinth.

 

I want to focus the lesson this morning from, 

2 Corinthians 8:21 (KJV)

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

 

The Apostle Paul said that his first responsibility was

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (KJV)

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

 

He also said that he had

Acts 23:1 (KJV)

… lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

 

I submit to you this morning that this is the first and great commandment.

Matthew 22:37-38 (KJV)

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 

This is the first and great commandment.

 

But Jesus did not end there, did He?

Matthew 22:39 (KJV)

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

 

What I thought I would do this morning is to remind you of three Biblical responsibilities toward God and men:

 

First, we are responsible 

I. TO PROVIDE FOR HONEST THINGS

2 Corinthians 8:21 (KJV)

Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

 

We know two things specifically from this passage:

·   That it was in regard to a financial matter

·   That he provided for honest things by employing extra eyes as witnesses

 

The concept can be used in a number of ways beside financial:

A. In our dealings with persons of the opposite sex

I get in a lot of trouble these days for simply expressing the cautions I was taught in Bible College in 1982.

 

In order to provide for honest things:

·   Don’t be in a room alone with someone of the opposite sex.

·   Don’t have repeated, long or personal conversations with a person of the opposite sex, in person or on the phone

·   Don’t be in a vehicle alone with a person of the opposite sex

 

I would simply add to those today,

·   Don’t’ have private and personal correspondence with a person of the opposite sex, especially with text messaging.

 

People think this is prudish, but it is amazing how many people have ruined their marriages, and how many pastors have ruined their lives because they did not follow them.

 

B. In our ministries with minors

One of the very first things I experienced after entering the ministry was witnessing a pastor go to prison because he was accused of abusing a baby.

 

His wife babysat this little baby but one day, while she did an errand, he stayed home to watch the baby alone.

 

The parents found out and made accusations.

 

I went to his trial. The courts repeatedly stated that all of the evidence was circumstantial. There was nothing to support that he had abused the baby or even that the baby had been abused.

 

But because he was accused, and because he could not prove he didn’t. He was convicted.

 

That was enough to convince me that the Christian Law Association’s warnings about children’s ministries had to be taken seriously.

 

·   Don’t touch a child below the shoulder

·   Don’t be alone with a child

·   Don’t help them get dressed after using the restroom

·   Keep a record of anything odd in dealing with a child

 

Provide for honest things in children’s ministries.

 

C. In our manners with others

In this case I mean being ethical around other people

 

I never want to appear to be “courting” people from other churches to leave and come to the church I pastor.

 

I’ve been stung with this one more than a few times because very few pastors practice ethics with people of other churches.

 

Most evangelistic events turn out to be a chance to expose other people’s members to the ministry of the host church.

 

The majority of teen rallies have the agenda of recruiting for the favorite college of the host church.

 

We ought to want to do things in such a way that it is very transparent and honest.

 

Years ago, I was involved in the sale and relocation of a Bible College. The thing destroyed decades long relationships between pastors. I am convinced the reason it happened was because, rather than using legal representation, everything was done with a handshake or verbal agreement between friends.

 

When things didn’t work out for one party or the other, because nothing was legally recorded, there were misunderstandings that these preachers haven’t gotten cleared up even today.

 

It makes good sense to always provide for honest things. 

 

Second, we are responsible

II. TO BE VOID OF OFFENCE

Acts 24:16 (KJV)

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

 

The phrase “void of offence” is one Greek word that means something like, “a smooth road.”

 

The idea is that we don’t put stumblingblocks in another’s way.

 

We ought to do what we can to make someone else’s path to Jesus a smooth path.

 

I am reminded of the old deacon who said of his pastor, “If the Lord will keep him holy, I’ll keep him humble.”

 

We all know the way is straight and narrow. 

That means it will be difficult.

 

But you and I?

We don’t have to be the ones who make it difficult. Let’s be the ones who try to lift up the weak hands and steady the slipping feet.

 

Thirdly, we are responsible

III. TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCE OF EVIL

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)

Abstain from all appearance of evil.

 

I want to use this passage to sum the lesson up.

 

Notice the word “all.”

 

What that tells me is that we ought not to take these precautions casually.

 

God would have we who are Christians do all we are able to provide honest things and to be void of offense in the sight of both God and men.

 

It’s no joking matter.