Saul was told to completely and utterly destroy the Amalekites - to spare nothing not even the women and children, the livestock, or the treasures of the Amalekites - (this was contrary to the culture of warfare in Saul's time - common practice was for one nation to get rich by plundering other nations as they made war). So when the day came, Saul thought that his way was better. He spared the King and "everything, in fact, that appealed to them." (from the NLT:). He claims that it was to sacrifice to the Lord - but only after he has been caught, and after he has set up a monument to himself.
How often do we read something in the Bible or hear something from God and say to ourselves - surely God didn't mean it THAT way. That is what leads us to the point where we live in a culture that says - I'll Do It My Way - when it comes to lifestyle orientation, how we manage our finances, how we raise our children, etc.
Would our nation be facing an economic disaster of this magnitude if we had lived by the principles of money management found in the bible? I don't think so. I admit it, I have been apart of this in the past becasue that is what was culturally acceptable - credit cards and personal loans are a way of life - right? What happened to being content with what we have, to saving money and buying stuff with cash?
Would the world be facing epidemics of STDs if we lived according to the principles taught in the bible - absolutely not.
God has a plan for our life - when he says - do it my way - He means it.
What is God's way - simply put.
37 Jesus replied,
Matthew 22:37-40 (New Living Translation)
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.
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