¹¹ While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. ¹² He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. ¹³ So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’  ¹⁴ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’  ¹⁵ “He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it.  ¹⁶ “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’  ¹⁷ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’  ¹⁸ “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’  ¹⁹ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’  ²⁰ “Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. ²¹ I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’  ²² “His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? ²³ Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’  ²⁴ “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’  ²⁵ “‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’  ²⁶ “He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ²⁷ But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.’” (Luke 19:11 – 27, New International Version)

⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  (2 Timothy 4:7 – 8, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Title:  Discipline and Destiny

Reflection:

How does our conviction about our destiny impact our actions?  Do we give serious consideration to the return of Jesus and judgement?  The field of theological study that focuses on the question of our destiny is eschatology.  While the topic may appear esoteric, our Scripture passages today reveal the relevance and importance of our conviction about our destiny.

The parable in Luke has many important lessons.  One of them is the fact that the servants who believed the king would return made good use of their mina.  They were disciplined in their quest to use their mina wisely.  In contrast, the servant who viewed the return of the king skeptically was anything but disciplined.  He kept his mina in a piece of cloth and was judged accordingly. 

In the passage from second Timothy, the Apostle Paul labored with discipline in anticipation of the return of Jesus.  Like the faithful servants in the parable, he believed that his destiny was tied to a returning king who would reward him for diligent service.

Conclusion:

Our view of our destiny impacts our actions!  Does our commitment to be a disciplined disciple demonstrate a strong belief that Jesus will return to judge humanity?  How does your belief in your spiritual destiny impact your actions? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Contributor: Norman Christie

⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! ⁷ It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, ⁸ yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. ⁹ How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? ¹⁰ A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— ¹¹ and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:6 – 11, New International Version)

 ²⁷ “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ²⁸ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! (Luke 12:27 – 28, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Title:  Discipline and Daisies

Reflection:

In pursuit of a disciplined lifestyle, how do we reconcile our own efforts with our need to trust and depend on God?  The Bible provides wise counsel in the two passages of Scripture we are considering today. 

The passage in Proverbs draws our attention to the ant.  The ant epitomizes disciplined effort and reminds us of the value of hard work.  God has given us the ability to acquire current and future needs through the disciplined use of our skills and abilities.  He expects us to use what we have been blessed with and not be lazy. 

The passage in Luke draws our attention to a wildflower (e.g., a beautiful daisy).  The wildflower relies on what its environment provides, and epitomizes an inescapable dependence on God.  God cares about His creation, and His ability to supply all that we need is unrivaled. 

Conclusion:

The disciplined acquisition of our needs using our skills and abilities is to be applauded.  However, we must be mindful of our limitations and trust God to be the ultimate supplier of our needs.  We can work like the ant, but we must always have the trust of the daisy!

What are some of the pitfalls of laziness on one hand and overreliance on our efforts on the other hand?  Do any biblical examples come to mind?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Contributor: Norman Christie

¹ Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, ² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.  (Psalm 1:1 – 2, New International Version)

 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8, New International Version)

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Psalm 16:11, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Title:  Discipline and Delight

Reflection:

Self-discipline is often associated with uninspiring activities such as denial of desires or mundane work.  There is nothing wrong with those associations, but there is a lot more to discipline than “tough it out” connotations.  The blessed man in Psalm 1 brings this point to life.  He is an individual that has found a source of pleasure in the word of God.  The Hebrew word that is translated as “delight” is “chephets.”  Chephets signifies a strong inclination or pleasure in something.  In the three Scripture passages above, I see pleasure arising from a positive choice, not from serendipity.  It is a choice with positive results.  If we choose to taste what God has on offer we find that it is good. If we choose to be in God’s presence we are filled with joy and eternal pleasures.      

Conclusion:

We have the capacity to associate discipline with pleasure.  As reflected in the Psalms, we should prayerfully delight ourselves in God’s word and presence.  How does the word of God bring you pleasure?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

Contributor: Norman Christie

² By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. ³ Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.  (Genesis 2:2 – 3, New International Version)

¹⁴ but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you do. ¹⁵ Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. (Deuteronomy 5:14 – 15, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Title:  Discipline and Downtime

Reflection:

New appliances and automobiles are typically sold with a manufacturer’s warranty.  To preserve the warranty, there are prescribed operating and maintenance instructions.  Especially if the items are expensive, people tend to pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions.  No one willingly tries to invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty by disobeying the instructions.  Do we pay attention to our manufacturer’s instructions for us?

Our Scripture passage from Genesis points out that God established the Sabbath.  “Shabbat” literally means “to cease” or “to rest” in Hebrew.  The Scripture passage from Deuteronomy makes the clear link between the Sabbath and rest.  The Sabbath is the topic of many theological debates.  However, our focus here is limited to God’s prescription for rest.  

So much of our identity is associated with all the things we do.  We are a society always on the move.  I will admit that rest for me was linked to laziness, but Scripture passages such as the two above, and the story of Martha complaining about Mary leaving Martha to do work by herself have taught me otherwise.   

Conclusion:

Since God is our creator, the discipline of resting should be high on our priority list because God prescribes rest.  What are we so busy doing that is preventing us from resting our bodies, minds, and souls?  Where does rest as God prescribes it rank on your priority list?  Does your ranking align with God’s prescription?  I would love to hear from you.

Contributor: Bridget Jeffries

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. (Proverbs 10:19, New International Version)

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.  (James 1:26, New International Version)

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. (Psalm 119:37, New International Version)

 I will not look with approval on anything that is vile.  I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. (Psalm 101:3, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Title:  Discipline and Discretion

Reflection:

Discretion is defined as “the freedom or authority to make decisions and choices.” (Collins Dictionary).  On the highway of life, at the intersection of discretion and discipline, wisdom is essential.  The Bible often uses parts of our body to encourage us to be disciplined when making daily choices.  Today we will use the tongue and the eye to illustrate this point.  However, we could just as easily use other body parts such as the ears, hands, and feet. 

The tongue is symbolic of the way we communicate, and the Bible has a lot to say about the disciplined discretion we should exercise.  Both of our Scripture passages today remind us that a loose tongue is not consistent with obedience to God.  Of course, in our computerized world, emails, social media posts, and other forms of electronic communication require the same type of discipline prescribed for the tongue.

The eyes are often symbolic of our focus and priorities.  Our Scripture passages today remind us of the daily choices we have to focus on worthy things or worthless things.  This choice is complicated by the vast amount of money being spent by advertisers to convince us that worthy things are worthless and worthless things are worthy.  We must be disciplined and fix our eyes on Jesus.

Conclusion:

The words of advice we see in Scripture regarding the tongue, eye, and other parts of our body are constant reminders of the discretion we have every day to make wise and disciplined decisions.  Do we speak words that lift people up or tear them down? Do we focus on things that build our character or feed vain ambitions? We are constantly making choices like these, and the sum total of these decisions impact our growth and testimony.  How can we remain vigilant about making wise decisions?  I would love to hear from you.

Contributor: Norman Christie

¹ on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: ² “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people.  Ask them, ³ ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?  ⁴ But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.  ⁵ ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’   ⁶ “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.  ⁷ I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.  ⁸ ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.  ⁹ ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty.  ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:1 – 9, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Title:  Discipline and Discouragement

Reflection:

Sometimes, despite our disciplined best efforts the outcome appears to be disappointing.  How do we deal with the inevitable sense of discouragement?  Our Scripture passage today provides an uplifting perspective on this topic.

In the book of Haggai, the Israelites returned from exile to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.  After about a month of work it was clear that the new temple was inferior to the original temple (“Does it not seem to you like nothing?”).  This certainly was discouraging to the workers.  In response, God provides some encouraging words through the prophet Haggai, including the following:

• Be strong.
• I am with you.
• Do not fear.
• The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.

God made these declarations consistent with His covenant with the Children of Israel, and He reminds them that He has all the resources they need.

Conclusion:

When we can’t see positive outcomes despite our disciplined efforts, it is easy to be discouraged.  However, we can rest assure that when our activities are aligned with God’s priorities a glorious outcome is guaranteed.   When you don’t see the results from your disciplined efforts, how do you counter discouragement?  I would love to hear from you.

Contributor: Norman Christie

Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.  (Psalm 42:11, New International Version)

¹⁹I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.  ²⁰ I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. ²¹ Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: ²² Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:19 – 23, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Title:  Discipline and Despondency

Reflection:

Recently, I read about a pastor who decided to battle the stigma related to mental health.  He made mental health an explicit part of his ministry and hired a part-time therapist for the church.  At first, only a few people would hesitantly approach the therapist but soon the demand for the therapist was much more than anticipated.  Ultimately, the pastor created a separate not-for-profit organization that now has three doctors, one psychiatrist, one psychologist and three social workers on staff. 

As I read the story, and reflected on some passages of Scripture, I was reminded that where our mental health is concerned, being disciplined is often not as straightforward as we would like to think.  How do we grapple with issues such as despondency?  I must first clarify that while all forms of despondency are relevant to our discussion, some forms (e.g., clinical depression) require the input of trained professionals.  I am not a trained mental health professional.  My reflections on our Scripture passages today are of necessity general in nature.  There will be specific circumstances of despondency for individuals that should wisely be addressed by those trained to provide help. 

The clarification above does not detract from the powerful messages in our Scripture passages.  In both passages we see the authors openly describing their encounters with despondency.  Their pain and despair are palpable.  I must confess that there have been times when I have responded to this kind of open display of despondency with judgement.  Thankfully, God responds with grace.  You can see that the authors rely on God’s grace.  I am captivated by their confidence in God’s compassion and faithfulness. 

Conclusion:

Our disciplined plans can be disrupted by despondency.  In the words of the boxer, Mike Tyson: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”   Life throws punches, but God is compassionate and faithful.  As believers, how can we individually and collectively become more effective in dealing with our despondency and the despondency of others?  I would love to hear from you.

Contributor: Norman Christie

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. (Daniel 1:8, New International Version)

 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (Daniel 6:10, New International Version)

Theme:  The Wisdom of Discipline

Title:  Discipline and Durability

Reflection:

Daniel was a prophet in exile for approximately 70 years.  Taken captive to Babylon as a young man, Daniel was thrust into a foreign culture where he was pressured to abandon his faith and adopt Babylonian customs.  Over the course of his exile, his faith did not waiver and God honored his faithfulness.  He is a prime example of someone who maintained his discipline even under tremendous pressure.

In our Scripture passages today, we see Daniel’s durable dedication to his faith in God.  The time gap between Daniel’s refusal to eat the King’s food in Daniel Chapter 1 and his refusal to stop praying in Daniel Chapter 6 is likely around 60 years.  Over this span of decades, we see clear indications of a disciplined lifestyle.  Daniel negotiated to eat only vegetables and drink water instead of enjoying the king’s cuisine as a youth.  Prayer was so much a part of his daily life that he continued praying under the threat of death and was placed in the lions’ den as a mature man.  His discipline was durable.    

Conclusion:

Daniel teaches us that discipline can be maintained even when we are pressured to conform to the world around us for many years.  No doubt, the durability of Daniel’s discipline contributed to the durability of his faith.  Do you find that pressure pushes you towards or away from discipline?  What lessons do you take from Daniel’s life?  I would love to hear from you.

Contributor: Karen Christie