Truth Magazine

By Jimmy Tuten

In spite of mass communication and travel, our modern world is filled with too many people who are leading lonely lives. True, our towns and cities are getting more and more crowded, and these lonely ones are always moving among the crowds. But you can be desperately lonely in a crowd. What most of us need, in order to feel that we are living a full life; is to feel a definite relation between ourselves and those with whom we rub shoulders. This is especially true for those of us who are brethren in Christ. We are hearing much talk and seeing evidence of too much suspiciousness among us. Suspicious of what? What is it all about? Can anyone really answer these questions?

Over the past couple of months I have logged over 4500 miles, visiting with brethren in their homes and worshiping with them in assemblies of the saints. From the Great Lakes of the North to the Gulf Coast, and from the Midwest to the East Coast, it is the same. Too many of our brethren are expressing their concern over the fact that closeness does not exist as in days gone by. I know that affluence is evident, our new homes with their labor-saving devices, new cars, the latest styles in clothing, all give off at first sight the appearance of a fuller, richer life, certainly richer than that of our grandparents. There is more leisure, more entertainment, more movies, bigger and better T.V., but unfortunately these cannot restore the lost sense of being. I fear that materialism is taking its toll among us and that the real reason we feel that we really do not belong, as our grandparents did, is because we are conforming instead of being transformed (Rom. 12:1-3). We not only are competing with the world, but with our own brethren! For what? In spite of all that we have we are finding less satisfaction. We know that we are missing something. We hope this something can be regained. It can.

Fortunately, the printed page is still with us. Sensible brethren are still readers! The printed word brings to them a participation in the problems, the joys and triumphs of our brethren, wherever they are, in the North, the South, the Mid-West, England or Africa. One reason for the loss of which we speak is that some have stopped reading. Those who are reading have gained. They are becoming more and more informed. They know that the hottest thing among the liberals right now is the “Crossroads Philosophy,” when they see or hear the word “Ebla,” they know we are not talking about some hurricane, they know because they are reading Journals published by brethren. The task of keeping us informed belongs to “our” journals. Among such periodicals is my old friend, Truth Magazine. We who write for it do not ask that you believe our writings, only that you give them consideration by comparing them with Bible teaching and facts! The readers of Truth Magazine can never be desperately lonely.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 30, p. 491
July 31, 1980

By Dan Walters

Brother Leroy Garrett wrote an article in the November 1979 issue of his paper, Restoration Review, entitled “Priests Instead of Prophets.” He says that he has “susbstantial evidence” that many leaders in the church “basically agree” with the unity-in-diversity position held by Garrett, Ketcherside, Kilpatrick, Scott, and others. These leaders include editors of leading journals, administrators and professors in “Christian” colleges, elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers, and ministers of some of “the largest and most influential churches.” The unity-in-diversity position includes the following points: (1) that the church of Christ is not the only true church,, 2) that there are faithful Christians among the denunciations, (3) that the New Testament church has not or cannot be restored, (4) that instrumental music in the assemblies is not sinful, (5) that fellowship should be extended to all baptized believers who are not morally degenerate and to many of those in the denominations, (6) that salvation by grace and faith demands that God accept those believers in Christ who do not follow the New Testament pattern of doctrine.

I have known for many years that Garrett is correct about the convictions of these leaders he speaks of. He gives them a mild rebuke for remaining “in the closet” instead of openly affirming their beliefs. It is true that the unity-in-diversity men, in spite of their false doctrine, are worthy of more respect than the hypocrites who agree with them but who are afraid to come out into the open for fear of losing their positions. Garrett claims that he can name scores of these brethren “from Tennessee to Texas to California,” who have revealed their positions privately, but never publicly.

There was an old radio show about a man named Fibber McGee and his wife Molly. Fibber McGee’s closet was so full of junk that every time someone opened it a mountain of assorted items poured out into the room. It is evident that the “mainline” church of Christ today is a colossal “Fibber McGee’s closet” just waiting for someone to open it. When they do, so many cowardly “fibbers” will pour out that it will be a stupendous shock to those brethren who have isolated themselves from reality for so long.

However, this is the way apostasy has always developed. If false teachers immediately declared their objectives, they would be marked and avoided. But if they work gradually, they can be assimiliated into the brotherhood and can attain positions of authority. In this way they can corrupt large portions of the church. Garrett says that these diggressives could come out of the closet now because brethren have “ripened for the change . . .” Unfortunately, he is again correct. The kind of teaching done in “Christian” colleges and in many churches during the last few years has softened the brethren and has prepared them for a radical change. The defenders of orthodoxy among the more liberal churches had better start asking questions and find out who is hiding in Fibber McGee’s closet!

Truth Magazine XXIV: 30, p. 490
July 31, 1980

By Paul K. Williams

“A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back” (Proverbs 29:11).

From the baby screaming in its crib to the old man in hospital impatiently waiting for the bedpan, all of us have trouble controlling our tempers. The only one who has no trouble with his temper is six feet underground. But the wise man says, “A fool always loses his temper.” That means I am that much closer to being a fool every time I lose my temper! It makes me think.

A fool is one who does not have good judgement, who does not profit from experience or discipline. The one who says, “There is no God,” is a fool because he is denying the evidence surrounding him. The one who always loses his temper is a fool because repeated experience has taught him nothing.

I can think of five reasons why losing my temper makes me a fool. They are as follows:

1. Many times it causes me to do things of which afterwards I am ashamed. My temper overcomes my good judgement and I act the fool.

2. Losing my temper makes me act from the emotion of anger without thinking. James warns, “the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God” (James 1:20). I simply want to strike out and hurt the object of my anger. Unrighteousness is the result.

3. Losing my temper demonstrates that I lack self-control, and I lose the respect of those who know me. A man without self-control cannot be trusted with responsibility because he may ruin everything in a burst of anger. That is the reason an elder must not be quick-tempered (Titus 1:7).

4. Losing my temper causes me to hurt those I love the most. When I become angry it makes no difference if the person is my wife or my child – I strike out with words or blows. How foolish to hurt these loved ones!

5. When I lose my temper I usually succeed in causing the other person to lose his, and we wind up two fools instead of one!

Yes, the man or the woman who is known for his temper is a fool, especially if that person has no more sense than to brag about it. (Did you ever hear someone say, “I’ve got red hair!” or “I’m Irish!”?)

“But a wise man holds it back.” How can I become wise?

First, the wise man has come to realize the dangers of hasty anger. “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, So abandon the quarrel before it breaks out” (Prov. 17:14). As water breaking through an earthen dam wall becomes stronger and more uncontrollable, so quarrels quickly grow from a few hot words to full-blown feuds. The wise man knows this and tries to stop the quarrel before it begins.

Second, the wise man has convinced himself that he can hold his temper back. It is our lack of faith which says, “I can’t help it. I was just born that way.” God says, “Be angry and yet do not sin” (Eph. 4:26). Faith says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). God does not command the impossible. I am truly a fool of little faith when I convince myself I cannot control my temper. The wise man believes God and looks for the way to overcome.

Third, in looking for ways to control his temper the wise man has found two. He has found the easiest way is to be so prepared that at the beginning of the temptation he reacts with resistance. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus was immediately ready with the words of His Father. So when the wise man sees a situation where he will be tempted to become uncontrolled he takes preventive action. James says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). So the wise man prepares himself to resist. He practices the “gentle answer” which “turns away wrath” (Prov. 15:1) and finds that it not only cools down the other person but calms the speaker as well.

He trains himself also not to think too highly of himself, I find that when I lose my temper, it is often because of some slight or insult to me. Afterward I am ashamed of myself, for who am I to think I have to be treated with respect? My Saviour was insulted and reviled. Am I better than He? So the wise man does not wear a chip on his shoulder and takes slights without resentment. He has removed from within himself the greatest single cause for losing his temper.

But the wise man knows that sometimes anger gets ho. of him before he is aware, that vicious thoughts have riseF, unbidden to his heart and sharp words are ready to be spoken. He knows, though, that he can still put on the brakes. He can ask God to forgive those thoughts. He can “restrain” his words. “Count to ten.” “Bite your tongue.” Those old sayings have good foundations.

“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise” (Prov. 10:9).

“He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding” (Prov. 17:27).

“The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things” (Prov. 15:28).

So let us restrain and ponder so that our spirits may be cool.

Fourth, the wise man probably has asked others to help him overcome his temper. Heb. 10:24 tells us to “stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” How helpful it is when my wife says, “Whoops, we are losing control. Let’s pray and read the Bible and then discuss this thing.” Then we both are able to become wise people with cool spirits.

I like the story about the sweet old lady. When a young girl asked her the secret of her serenity and of her gracious words she replied, “Honey, it’s not hard. I just taste my words before I say them.” She had learned the secret of holding back her temper and had become wise.

Let’s never forget,

“A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back.”

Truth Magazine XXIV: 30, pp. 488-489
July 31, 1980

By Johnny Stringer

The Parable of the Unjust Steward (Lk. 16:1-8) has presented much difficulty to Bible students, but the lesson of the parable is a valuable one. It is the purpose of this article to summarize the parable as Jesus presented it, and to discuss the meaning of the parable on the basis of Jesus’ comments which followed it.

Summary Of The Parable

Verses 1-3 – the steward’s problem. A steward is one who has been entrusted to manage the affairs or property of another. The steward of this parable had not been diligent and faithful in fulfilling his responsibilities, but had wasted his master’s goods. As a result, he was to lose his position as steward. His problem was how he would be able to survive after his master put him out. He reasoned that he could not do the kind of physical labor that was involved in digging, and he had too much pride to beg. So what would he do?

Verses 4-7 – the steward’s solution. The steward devised a plan by which he would make certain ones feel obligated to him, hence receive him into their houses after he lost his stewardship. Before his master took his stewardship from him, he went to those who owed debts to his master, and he reduced their debts. He told them to cut their bills. His hope was that out of gratitude for this favor, out of a sense of obligation to him, these debtors would take him into their homes when his master put him out (v. 4).

Verse 8a – His lord’s reaction. His lord commended him for his wisdom. He was wise with respect to attaining worldly goals. Some people have difficulty with this verse. They think that the lord mentioned here is Jesus, and wonder why Jesus would commend someone for his dishonest actions. The lord mentioned in this verse however, is not Jesus. The lord discussed in the parable is the steward’s lord, his master (vv. 3, 5). Jesus is our Lord, but Jesus was not the steward’s lord. His lord was the one whose property he managed, the one for whom he worked. The thing his lord commended him for was his shrewdness. Someone may cheat you out of something, and you may be burning up with anger because of it; but you might still give him credit for his shrewdness. Perhaps the steward’s lord was a rather worldly fellow himself, so that he could especially appreciate such wisdom.

Children Of This World Vs. Children Of Light

Having related the parable, Jesus observes, “for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light” (v. 8b). Children of this world are those whose hearts are set primarily on things of this world; they seek earthly things; their interest is in gratification of physical desires and obtaining material wealth. Children of light are those who walk in the light (1 John 1:7), following Christ (John 8:12).

The shrewdness which the steward exercised toward providing for his material welfare is illustrative of the great ingenuity which children of this world exercise in achieving their worldly goals. Jesus’ point is that children of this world exercise greater prudence, ingenuity, and wisdom in the pursuit of their material goals than disciples do in the pursuit of our spiritual goals. Those who are successful in business, politics, or any other field of endeavor did not get that way without using their heads.

To illustrate the shrewdness of men with respect to making money, consider what happened when Elvis died. His body was not cold before men were planning ways of making money off his death. That is why we see the Elvis T-shirts and such things. What many saw as a tragedy, others saw as an opportunity. Such men do not miss any opportunity, but shrewdly exploit every kind of situation.

The lesson for us is that we should set our minds on spiritual endeavors, and exercise the same degree of wisdom in our spiritual pursuits that children of the world do in their material pursuits. If we were to put our minds and hearts into serving God to the extent that children of this world do in their endeavors, there is no telling what we could accomplish.

Using Mammon Of Unrighteousness

Jesus goes on to say, “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations” (v. 9). The expression “mammon of unrighteousness” is parallel with the expression “unrighteousness mammon” in verse 11. The word “mammon” means riches. “Unrighteous mammon” or “mammon of unrighteousness” is not ill-gotten gain, as some believe. Jesus is simply speaking of money, material wealth. Money was called unrighteous because it is deceitful (Matt. 13:22), and the love if it leads many to unrighteousness (1 Tim. 6:9-10). In verse 11 unrighteous mammon is contrasted against heavenly riches, which are called true, rather than unrighteous.

In verse 9, Jesus is talking about the use we make of money. This is obvious from verses 10-12. Thus, when He says, “Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness,” He means to make friends with or by means of money; He means to use the money so as to make friends who will receive us into everlasting habitations.

Attitudes and Consequences

The aim of this work has been to trace the development of two attitudes toward the Scripture authority in the Restoration Movement: that of the early spirits in Jesus’ admonition in verse 9 relates back to the parable. He is making a comparison between our responsibility and the action of the steward in the parable. Note the comparison. The steward’s goal was earthly habitations (v. 4). His method of obtaining that goal was to use money (helping the debtors financially) so as to make friends who would receive him into their houses. Our goal is not earthly, but heavenly habitations (v. 9). As the steward so used money that he would be received into earthly houses, we are to so use money (mammon of unrighteousness) that we will be received into heavenly habitations.

What about the friends of verse 9? It may be that Jesus is not speaking literally. The steward provided for his reception into earthly houses by making friends (though the use of money). Since Jesus is comparing the steward’s actions with our responsibility, He may simply be using what the steward did (making friends) to stand for our efforts to make provisions for our reception into eternal habitations. If He does have reference to literal friends, perhaps they are heavenly friends – God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the angels; all of these will receive us into heavenly habitations, welcoming us there will open arms if we are faithful.

The point of verse 9, then, is that we are to use our money in such a way that we can be received into everlasting habitations. Verses 10-12 continue to stress the importance of proper use of what we have. This does not mean that we buy our way into heaven. Nevertheless, it is true that the manner in which one uses his money is an indication of the faith and love that is in his heart. When out of faith, love, and devotion to God, we use our money to do good, we are conducting ourselves in such a manner that we will be received into heavenly habitations. See 1 Tim. 6:17-19; Heb. 13:16; Eph. 4:28; Phil. 4:10-18.

The Primary Point Of The Parable

As the steward exercised wisdom (v. 8) in using money so as to be received into earthly houses, so we are to wisely use our possessions so as to be received into everlasting habitations in heaven.

Truth Magazine XXIV: 30, pp. 487-488
July 31, 1980