eWell July 15, 2009

"Fear of the Lord" by Stephanie Cram

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I am a member of the finance team at The Well. I see on a regular basis how much money The Well spends, what the money is spent on, and how much our budget is in a deficit. I believe the deficit comes from a church body that lacks fear of the Lord. You see, many Christians have the wrong understanding of the word fear when it is associated with God. When I quote scripture that says, "fear the Lord" what emotion does that evoke in you? Do you think it means you're supposed to cower under an oppressive ruler? Should you be afraid of Him, like a child who is scared of monsters under the bed? I'm afraid of bridges because of what could happen if the bridge collapses when I'm on it. (I blame that one for growing up in California earthquakes.) So do I fear God because of the uncertainty of the future, of what could happen next? What's your understanding of this word fear and your relationship with God?

The Bible tells me that to fear the Lord is to be in awe of Him. To have extreme reverence for whom He is (Psalm 33:8). It says that fear of the Lord is to hate sin the way He does (Proverbs 8:13). We are told that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). What it comes down to is that fear of the Lord is the realization of God's amazing love for you and how much you don't deserve it.

A friend of mine was once quoted as saying, "To the degree that you have realized what God has done for you in your life is the degree to which you will fear Him." And I can't help but think of the offering at The Well when I consider the fear of the Lord. I wonder when the offering basket comes around in church; do you fear God at that moment (in a healthy, reverent awe of Him)? Or, do you fear your financial situation? If you give, do you do it because you love Him and know that He has given you more than you could ever return? Or do you see it as a dreadful obligation in which you would rather keep the money for yourself? (By all means, if that's the case, keep your money.) I'm not going to tell you how much to give, how often to give or even that you should give, that's between you and God. What I want you to understand is that giving is an act of reverence to the Creator of all things. Throughout scriptures we are told not to test God. But when it comes to tithing, "'Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it'" (Malachi 3:10). God is saying don't fear the stuff and the situation, He will provide. Instead, fear Him.