Faith's Outward Focus

Scripture – Amos 4:4-6: ⁴“Go to Bethel and sin; go to Gilgal and sin yet more. Bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. ⁵Burn leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill offerings—boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love to do,” declares the Sovereign LORD. ⁶“I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the LORD.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) Obviously, the reference to “Bethel” catches my eye. The sin, it seems, refers to the emptiness of the religious rituals of the people. They bring offerings and go through the right motions. But their heart is in the wrong place. They brag about their offerings, using them as a way to glorify themselves. At the same time, there are hungry people in every town receiving no help. And the rich people do not even see them.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) There’s nothing wrong with doing the good “church” things that we do. In fact, there’s a lot of good in them. We worship together as a community of faith. We strengthen our fellowship through potlucks and picnics. We study and grow in our understanding of faith through various classes. We also serve the people in our wider community through a number of avenues – some through the church and others in our individual lives. I will remember faith in Christ has an outward, as well as an inward, focus.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Lord Jesus, help me serve you in some simple, practical ways today. In my life, Lord, be glorified. In your church, Lord, be glorified today.