It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly
and only later to reconsider his vows Proverbs20:25
I nearly skipped over this proverb and then it struck me that this was a theme that Jesus came back to more than once.
Do you remember His story about the two sons who were asked to do a job? The one said yes, but didn't do it - the other said no but then went and did it. The second son was commended over the first. (Mat21:28-31)
Jesus also talked about putting our hand to the plough and not looking back (Luk9:62), and about counting the cost of committing ourselves to Him so that we would not be like the person who started building without checking if he had the materials and then had to stop half way because the building could not be completed. (Luk14:28-30)
God is not impressed by quantity but by quality. Let us make sure that we are people who finish what we start in His name. It brings His name and Kingdom into disrepute when we are not diligent in completing what we do for Him.
Paul wrote to Archippus ( a soldier in the church in Corinth) "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord" (Col4:17)
Jesus also talked about our "yes" being "yes" and our "no" being "no".
(Mat5:37)
When we finish what we started and keep our commitments it honours God.
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Theo Groeneveld theo@emmanuel.org.za
You can see past EmmDevs at http://emmdev.blogspot.com/
