ARE YOU BECOMING A FAT CHRISTIAN?
By Doug Pierce
“He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.” Proverbs 28:25
ARE YOU BECOMING A FAT CHRISTIAN?
I love our verse for today, especially the last phrase where it says, “but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.”
A very dear pastor friend of mine was picking on me one day about me being overweight. Now, you have to understand, he might weigh 125 lbs soaking wet . . . maybe. But he was enjoying ragging me, as he did quite often, about my battle with the bulge.
Usually I’d just laugh it off and tell him that he might better hope a strong puff of wind didn’t come by ‘cause he’d blow away. But this time I was ready for him and I had a great comeback for him. I quoted the above scripture and said, “Well, you know what the Bible says, “ . . . he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.” I said,”Look at me! It’s evident that I’ve really been trusting the Lord!” Then I said, “But I’m not so sure about you!” Of course he knew I was only kidding around and we had a good laugh and agreed I got the best of him that day.
Gaining weight is something many of us seem to battle, especially, as we get older. Obviously, God does not want us physically fat and that verse is not encouraging being overweight. But, I do believe the Lord does want us to be spiritually FAT. So, I wanna ask you this question: Just how FAT are you?
A GOOD ACRONYM
I want to give you an acronym today by using the letters F.A.T. May I submit to you that God is looking for FAT disciples? I’ll let you be the judge of how fat you are . . .
“F” stands for FAITHFUL – 1 Corinthians 4:2 reads, “Moreover it is required in stewards [managers] that a man be found faithful.” When I am faithful, God can trust me to get a job done and responsibilities. I am not going to drop out on Him or go A.W.O.L. when the going gets tough.
Not only does it mean that God can trust me and count on me, but it also means that I trust God and count on Him. If I am faithful, I am full of faith and believe God enough to step out on His Word, regardless of the circumstances. The best way to become a person full of faith is to spend time in the Bible, reading and meditating on God’s wonderful track record of keeping His promises and working miracles. Romans 10:17 tells us, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” As we read and meditate upon the Word of God, He gives us countless promises to claim, principles to build our lives upon and people to pattern ourselves by. I shared this past Sunday about the lady who had an incurable blood disease for 12 long years, but as she trusted Jesus and He healed her instantly! When we read about the characters in the Word, God is saying, “I’ll do the same for you, if you’ll trust me!” Our faith in God is what pleases Him most (Heb. 11:1). He put the many stories of people in His Word, not just for interesting reading, but to challenge us to trust Him to do the same for us too! Amen?!
“A” stands for AVAILABLE – The Lord asked, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8). God is looking for volunteers, people who will say, “I am Yours, Lord. I am ready and willing to do Your will, whatever it may be.” Are you available to the Lord like that? It’s not your ability the Lord looks for most, it’s your availability! He doesn’t call the equipped, or He equips those who obey His call. Remember…Moses told God he could not speak well… and God said, “No problem. I can give you the ability to speak” (Exodus 4:10-12). Someone has well said, “The best ability is simple availability.”
“T” stands for TEACHABLE – It is really hard for God to work in a heart that does not easily and readily receive instruction (a hard-soiled or rocky-soiled heart). I often pray, “Lord, give me a heart that is good soil so that your Word can penetrate and bear fruit in me “thirty, sixty and a hundredfold.” God can teach a person wonderful lessons, even through a little child, if that person is open and teachable. *God is not only looking for those open to instruction, He is looking for those open to correction. You see, if I am truly teachable, you can point out weaknesses and blind spots in my life (speak the truth in love) . . . and I will listen and take those comments to heart. I thank the Lord for my godly wife who has helped me many times by pointing out areas in my life where I could be more Christlike. David prayed, “Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it” (Psalm 141:5). If you and I truly want to grow strong in the Lord, we need people around us who will love us enough to tell us the truth and point out blind spots so that we can work on them to the glory of God.
A PRAYER OF DETERMINATION
Would you determine in your heart to be a FAT disciple? It might be good for you to find a godly friend or get involved in a small group where you can be around those who’ll be faithful to let you know where your blind spots are? Although it may hurt a little, you will be glad you did. Remember, the FATTER you become spiritually, the more God will be able to use you to make a difference in the world for Christ. No joking around, God’s Word is true, “. . . he/she who putteth his/her trust in the Lord shall be made fat.”
Think it over…
Doug Pierce is a Church planter and a pastor. In 2003 he started, and continues to pastor First Independent Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. His #1 priority is to glorify God in all aspects of ministry. He does this through teaching his congregation to Love God, Love One Another, and Love Others to God. Prayer, outreach, and church growth through evangelism are vital parts of his ministry. He and his wife Suzanne live in Madison, Mississippi where they also enjoy their children and grandchildren.
To find out more about Doug‘s ministry visit the FIMC Website
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