Liquidate ~ Synonyms: abolish, black out, blot out, cancel, clean (up), efface, eradicate, erase, expunge, exterminate, extirpate, annihilate, obliterate, root (out), rub out, snuff (out), stamp (out), sweep (away), wipe out
In law, liquidation is the process by which something is brought to an end, and the assets and property of the company redistributed. (Wikipedia)
Some who read this blogger will most assuredly respond with the typical have faith PMA style exhortation; presuming that if we just have enough "faith" everything will turn around and money manna will drop from heaven. Unfortunately, most of these pep talks over the past few years has come from those who are incapable of truly understanding what its like to have your life completely dismantled because they have not ever personally succumb to circumstances of financial devastation. Moreover, as in our case; they have not lost their prime investment as a result of fraud.
God knows our hearts are to serve Him wholly surrendered. We would give anything and everything we have away. But having it ripped away from us in such an evil fashion goes beyond our ability to articulate. And yet, there is something even more painful that compounds this evil.
I have noticed over the past year in particular that most people tend to arm themselves with a superficial response; a defense mechanism designed to protect themselves emotionally from the reality of another's personal pain and suffering. For lack of formulating some better way to describe what I am trying to say here, I refer to Proverbs:
"As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather,
and as vinegar upon nitre,
so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart."
Proverbs 25:20
I have several close acquaintances that boast of traveling abroad and giving to the poor in other countries; only to return home again to the comfort of their lavish homes, stocked side-by-side refrigerators, jacuzzis and extravagant lifestyles. Poverty may be a nice place to visit, providing a sense of doing something important for God; but not many missionaries are committed to living there these days.
A sister in Christ who lives back east and I were talking on the phone about a year ago. During the conversation she shared with me an incident she had while ministering to a homeless individual. She went on to recite their conversation during which time the homeless woman commented on the fact that Christians don't think that the homeless recognize the hypocrisy and predictability of Christians; how "you guys always make a show around the holidays to feel good about yourselves only to go on the rest of the year forgetting about us."
I myself have given to the homeless, and have even had two homeless individuals stay with me in my home over a period of time; unknowns straight off the street. But watching another go through a crisis is NOT the same as living through it yourself. And when someone looks you in the eyes and says "I understand"; the truth is they think they do, but they only really understand "in part." I had compassion towards their circumstances, but I could not begin to feel what they felt; wondering where they would find their next meal or a roof over their heads when mine was no longer available.
Sadly, it has been the professing Christians who have made this journey the more painful for me. It's not simply the loss of things, although that has been somewhat painful under the circumstances of the evil perpetrated against us. Those who know Mike and I know that we have never been about material possessions or building up some reputation for ourselves while obtaining some elite social status for purposes of our egos. Having said that, it is by the grace of God and by the power and working of the Holy Spirit in our lives that we have our priorities in check. Without Him we are as wretched as anyone else. And we only thought we were humbled as these past years would begin to show us a greater humility as others began turning their noses up in the air at our declining financial state and circumstances; the brethren looking down their noses at our perceived "lack of faith" in God's abundant blessings.
We prospering Christians in America are really something aren't we? Well-wishing do-gooders who tend to give out of our excess, as long as it doesn't cost us our comforts and pleasures. We still think that a tenth is God's as we clutch on to the rest. I was under that doctrine for many years. And, we often have more compassion for animals than we do for human beings.
We now have a greater New Testament Covenant; and as God gave His all to us in His only Begotten Son, all we have belongs to Him. (Luke 12:33) Moreover, the New Testament church was our example. (Acts 4:32-35) Mike and I have known this in a theological sense for some time, always giving to the poor, but out of our excess. Now we know and understand a deeper truth to the pain of those in need, and the need ourselves to be selfless.
Most all of the individuals we have gone to have exercised great caution, making sure that they don't compromise themselves and their reputation by jeopardizing their social standing with others in the circles of local community. Not one of these individuals has ever asked us if we lack food or basic needs. It makes me ponder how many times I have missed it; that silent cry of another human being whose pain went unnoticed because I was comfortably numb in my self-centered world.
On one occasion we went to meet with an attorney; we were feeling so depressed. Our plumbing was stopped up and we couldn't afford to get it fixed. We couldn't flush toilets or bath, and the water main to the barn was leaking. We spent an hour or so pouring out the facts of our case and our hearts to this "professing" brother in Christ only to have him send us off with a humanistic salutation of "go and be warmed" telling us to "cheer up" "you'll be okay!" He called two weeks later to ask how we were doing and I told him of our immediate crisis to sell all and find a trailer. Once again I heard a "cheer up" "you'll be okay!" I knew he just wanted scoop, as I had later found out his professional life was tightly linked to that of defense counsel.
Like Leonard Ravenhill shared in one of his sermons. These are the ones that will toss a quarter at a homeless beggar to relieve their conscience only to depart and never concern themselves again as they return to their lifestyle of excess and comfort. Brings to remembrance the Scripture:
I'm curious; by what means do Christians today think that God is going to "bless" and "care" for the hurting, hungry and cold? Are we supposing that it's God's job to rain manna from the heavens again? Does God not command us, the brethren, to reach out to one another? Are we not COMMANDED to minister into the needs of our brethren?“And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:18-25
Mike and I were just discussing little old worn out Athela, a homeless woman in her 80's who we met at the Chevron gas station one day. She was digging through the trash for whatever she could find. Mike pulled out the only cash he had and ministered to her. What we should have done was pack her up in the truck, bring her home with us so she could shower and sleep in our spare room upstairs that has been empty for the most part of three and half years. I often thought of her having to survive through the past winter of extreme cold temperatures. With fear and trepidation I recall Luke 16:19-31.
American Christianity is rapidly imploding with the contrasting messages of self prosperity and a humanitarian cancer that neglects the love and healing required to minister to the brethren we see each and every day right here in the states. As a country we have outsourced our products and services, and as a church we are outsourcing our relief to third world countries while at the same time neglecting the brethren living right next door. The New Testament church was called first and foremost to, as Christ loves us to love one another.
Don't get me wrong. I love my brethren with all my heart. I am not bitter and this is not just about our situation; although our situation brings it closer to home. I am however, disgusted. Disgusted at those of us who use a banner of Christianity for purposes of online resume's, personal gain, and political correctness while neglecting the most elementary basic commands of the Christian faith: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3)“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.” Acts 4:32-35
"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" 1 John 3:15-17
There's a new doctrine being propagated in these last days. It's very calculated, and it is very evil. It's a doctrine of well-wishers who are quick to deflect their own duty to reach out to the destitute brethren while pointing an accusatory finger at them asserting a "lack of faith." The prosperity followers are some of the worst culprits; presuming that God wants to bless them while discounting the needs of others, presuming that poverty or illness is the result of sin. It helps them justify their own selfishness, not having to part with their things.
Just because someone is broken and hurting doesn't mean they have sin in their life. And just because someone breaks down in tears wrenching inside from the pain of evil circumstances surrounding their life; well, that doesn't' mean that they lack faith in my God. It simply means they are a human being and that they are hurting.
I don't lack faith in God, but I do struggle with confidence in our willingness as a body of believers to come together in complete surrender to His commandments to lay down our lives for our brethren in selfless love.
David wrote Psalm after Psalm crying out in agony and pain to his Heavenly Father; and he was a man after God's own heart.
For all of those "well-wishers" out there; I have the following to say. I know that my God shall not forsake me, but many of you have. And as surely as the Holy Spirit will heal my broken heart with forgiveness and comfort, I do fear for the condition of your hardened hearts, and consequently, the disposition of your souls.
A reporter recently caught wind of our story. He apparently does not profess to being converted to Christianity; yet unlike all the professing Christians who know of our demise, he immediately and without hesitation responded with an invitation for my husband and I to live with he and his family for a month in their humble abode.
Our professing brethren? Aside from one sister in Christ who lives on humble means; the rest have been cautiously quiet. They have been very careful not to ask of our immediate needs; but rather to chastise us through undiscerning presumption in which they perceive us to somehow be lacking faith for a miracle. May God have mercy upon them when they meet hard times.
We need to remember that even Jesus Christ was come as a "Man" in the "flesh" to provide a sacrifice for our sins. God will use man and physical means to exact justice on the unjust through governing authorities, and in like manner will use man through physical means to serve the needs of the brethren. To presume that prayers without works will suffice to obey the command to love negates the scriptures and examples set forth in the New Testament. If we pray for a brother in need while neglecting to meet that need when it is in our ability to do so; well, then the Word of God tells us that we are nothing more than white washed sepulchers and empty tombs, likened to the Sadducees and the Pharisees.
James 2:14-26
King James Version (KJV)
14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
14What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
16And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
