Manna + Maggots = Uh Oh! … Not A Good Thing!

For especially non-profit organizations, Master's Commission included, the prolonged effects of the world's economic crisis is not good news at all! For months now, we've been anxiously monitoring the daily news reports with rapid breathing expecting to hear the much awaited announcement, "The Nightmare is Over!" But as each day passes, the nightmare grows more nightmarish (if that is a word) as we recently learned about the massive fraud scheme that instantly ruined the financial portfolios of untold thousands worldwide. – That was definitely not good news at all!

Although I feel all alone, I know I cannot possibly be the only person wondering, "Is God trying to tell us something?" – The reason why you're reading this is because last night at 1:15am I suddenly discovered that I was wide awake mentally rehearsing the Bible's account of God's miraculous daily provision of manna from heaven. (For the complete story read Exodus chapter 16)

"… that I may TEST them"

Of notable interest at this sleepless moment is verse four (4), which reads, 'Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not." – Did you notice that? Bread from heaven… a test to determine whether the Israelites would obey God or not? … hmmmmm, that's very interesting.

If we follow the storyline in verse 16, we'll discover very specific and exact instructions concerning this manna from heaven; 'These are the Lord's instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent. V17 So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. V18 But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. V19 Then Moses told them, "Do not keep any of it until morning."

Apparently this test was not about God's ability to provide as much as it was in the ability of the people to obey. – There are some very concerning parallels that require little effort to imagine. My not-so photogenic mind is recalling a number of other instructions in the Bible that may have a direct correlation to this idea of our obedience towards God, especially when being tested. Take for an example the following;

• Matthew 6:33 – "Seek first His kingdom and righteous…." (to see context read verses 25-34)
  
• Luke 12:20 – "You Fool!" Concerning the wealthy farmer who had a challenge storing up all of his abundance. Obviously God didn't agree with his priorities and said to him "You Fool! (I didn't) You will die this very night. …" v21 "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God." (NLT)
  
• Luke 12:33-34 – Jesus said, "Sell your possessions and give them to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (NLT)
  
• Acts 2:44-45 – "Now all who "believed" were together and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need." (to see context read verses 40-47)
  
• 1 Timothy 6:17-19 – "Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us (manna from heaven) all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasures as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life."
  
• Mark 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him (the rich young man), loved him, and said to him, "There is still one thing you haven't done. Go and sell all your possession and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (to see context read verses 17-31)
  
• Matthew 16:24-26 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
  

The "Maggot" connection?

Returning back to the Israelites' test, it continues in Exodus 16:20, But some of them didn't listen and kept some of it (manna) until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. Moses was very angry with them."

THE BOTTOM LINE

Considering what's happening with the current USA economic meltdown, did we (the church) flunk a very important test?