Willingness

by R. Darke. Victoria. B. C. Canada | Category: General | Oct 1994

The cynic says there are two kinds of people in the world: those who are willing to work, and those who are willing to let them. Others advocate "twisting the arm" as a substitute for moral persuasion. But according to Scripture the Christian does not require either of these as an impetus to serve, or speak for the Master.

An example of willingness is seen in the Jewish servant girl who volunteered the information to her Syrian master, Naaman, that if he would visit the Israeli prophet Elisha, he could be healed of his leprosy. She did not need to be presumptuous in speaking out; golden silence might have been preferable. But assured in her faith that this was the right thing to do, she willingly conveyed her simple message of hope, and it was heeded to Naaman's blessing (2 Kings 5). What was her reward? Her act of willingness was recorded in heaven, and some 900 years later the Lord Jesus referred to the incident as a lesson to unbelieving Israel (Luke 4:27).

What of the reluctant Gentile woman at Sychar's well who appeared to be lonely and friendless? After her encounter with the Son of God, and the receiving of a draught of the water of life, she willingly went to her Samaritan friends and told them:

"Come and see a man who has told me everything I have ever done. Can this

be the Christ? They left town and set out to go to Him" (John 4:29,30 Weymouth). Willingness was manifested by her and them.

Consider also the boy who willingly surrendered his five loaves and two fishes. That little parcel was all that he had. He could have disappeared into the crowd without surrendering it, and perhaps none would have noticed. But he willingly gave it for the Lord's use, even though he might have overheard Andrew's comment: "But what are these among so many?" (John 6:9). Imagine the number of times this incident has been used by Christians to emphasize one point or another, forgetting perhaps that the boy gave unquestioningly and willingly. As a balance to Andrew's belittling comment, we must remember how willingly he brought his brother Peter to Christ, and the incredible blessing which followed that act: thousands of souls saved and discipled as the result of Peter's Spirit-filled preaching on the day of Pentecost.

What shall we say of Israel's response when the appeal was made for materials to build the Tabernacle? "And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and brought the LORD's offering" (Ex. 35:5-21). This included gold, silver, brass, blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goat's hair, acacia wood, oil for light, spices, and onyx stones. Or Israel's princes and the people in David's day, who offered willingly the material needed to build God's house under Solomon (1 Chr. 29:2,6,9).

We have a prime example of willingness in the virtuous woman who worked with her hands for her family, and spread out those same hands to help willingly the poor and needy (Prov. 31:13,20). Also, there is great encouragement in a spiritual way from Isaiah's promise to Israel: "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land" (Is. 1:19). Things of small consequence, which have no impact on a world dealing in mega quantities, play a vital part in God's scheme of things. A word to the sinner, an act of kindness to a saint, prayer for the sick, and encouraging message to the downcast or the widow, prevailing prayer for blessing in the churches, are all acts which reap due rewards when they are done willingly for the Master.

R. Darke. Victoria. B. C. Canada | Oct 1994
General