Treasure Digest

• Lessons From My Small Vineyard
• Be a Pioneer!
• A Good Word
• Pillars of Wisdom: Managing Money
• Let's Win the Race!
• Fasting and Perfection
• The Tomato Plant
• Turning the Hearts...I Remember Mama
• Question and Answer: Why Doesn't Your Church Use the Symbol of the Cross?
• Children's Corner [See PDF Version Page 11]
• Share Your Treasures!

Lessons From My Small Vineyard

"I am the vine, you are the branches," Jesus said (John 15:5). He also said, "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit" (verse 2).

The pruning season is just coming to an end as I write this from my home on the Costa del Sol in Spain . This is my first brush with having a vineyard, and though it is small, with the weeds, the lack of rain and my lack of knowledge, it's very hard work! (Perhaps we present the same challenge to God...)

All the branches are now cut back and the old wood burned. No fruit can be borne without this annual pruning. It must be done in just the right way or else there will still be no fruit. And if not pruned at all, the vine goes out of control and will eventually die. It won't die immediately, but will produce unwieldy branches and run to only wood.

All year long false growth comes from the base of the vine. These are short, stubby branches that grow only to about 18 inches high. These must be cut out all year round as they appear, or they will in time take over and ruin the main stock. Some of this growth may even produce false grapes, but they come to nothing in the end. These, too, must be removed promptly.

On the true vine, it can look as if there isn't much fruit as well. It is often hidden under the large leaves. Grapes can stay on the vine ripening quite a while. The longer they are in the hot sun and dry soil, the sweeter they become!

The soil is like concrete, desertlike, hard and dry, but the roots of the vines go way down, often into clefts in the slatelike hillside, where moisture collects.

All these features have spiritual parallels. Our Father prunes us perfectly, which is painful and not easily understood. The world is the dry, unyielding soil we are locked into. We are the branches, connected to Jesus Christ, hopefully, and through Him producing the fruit He needs us to produce for His future Kingdom. Each year the vine must be pruned hard.

—Wendy Culff
(One of three members in Spain )

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Be a Pioneer!

Being a pioneer in any pursuit is one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding experiences anyone can have.

Armstrong, Hillary, Bannister. What do these names mean to us? They were all pioneers. Neil Armstrong was the first man on the moon. Sir Edmund Hillary was the first to climb Mt. Everest and Dr. Roger Bannister was the first athlete to run a mile in under four minutes. They were all first in their field of endeavor.

We, too, are called to be pioneers, or firstfruits, in God's Kingdom. The three pioneers mentioned were all part of teams. Neil Armstrong was accompanied by Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins, plus the backup of Mission Control in Houston. Sir Edmund Hillary had the help of his Sherpa guide, Tensing Norgay, and many others in camps along the way. Roger Bannister was helped by a team of coaching staff and medical advisors.

On our pioneering journey to God's Kingdom we need the support of our fellow workers in the local churches. We also need the invisible spiritual support team of God's Mission Control.

In Exodus 17:8-14 we see an example of Moses relying on close teamwork to hold up his hands during a time of war. We must hold up each others' hands. We also pray to enlist the spiritual help from God's Mission Control.

Pioneers have an absolute belief that they can achieve their objective. In Proverbs 10:24 we are told that our desire (belief) will become a reality. We must concentrate on our vision of God's Kingdom of beauty, peace and harmony.

As pioneers, it is essential that we obey the rules of our calling, God's commandments. Encapsulated for us in Exodus 20:1-17, they mark the boundaries for us on our journey.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate pioneer. He made it as the first into God's Kingdom. We can be next to join Him! Paul confirms our calling to be the firstfruits and in the first resurrection to join our fellow pioneers from all ages (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).

It's a wonderful future for us all. Much more exciting than going to the moon. We shall experience galaxies yet undreamed of! Much better than climbing a mountain. We shall reach higher and greater wonders. And much more exhilarating than a four-minute mile. We will travel at the speed of thought! Truly wonderful!

—Frank Jarvis
Gloucester/Preston, British Isles, congregations

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A Good Word

People never tire of hearing a good word. Good words give courage—the spark to continue forward. There's a word that seems to breathe a magic of its own, giving backbone, lifeblood and vitality to all it touches.

That word helps relieve those in distress. It's dedicated to a way of life that creates something of lasting value for everyone. It sees a need and chooses to do something, however small, about it.

That word? Volunteer! How valuable each and every one of them is. Each volunteer betters the lives of every member of the community because he or she is there.

Who is the volunteer? A living, breathing human, derived from the richest of the rich to the poorest of the poor. Educated or illiterate, male or female, child or senior, white or black or any color in between. There are no boundaries. No confines.

Volunteers are individuals who believe that as long as they breathe, they are somehow responsible to care for the needs of those who are their brothers by life association, as well as birth. They strive to make light the heavy burden of those who are hurting, hungry or just down and out.

Believing the best comes back brimful and running over. The more volunteers give and share, the more they grow and mature, becoming in fuller measure that which they can be.

Volunteers—thanks for the good word!

A. Gail Donahue was a member of the Los Angeles, California, congregation before her death.

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Pillars of Wisdom: Managing Money

Money. Some say it's what makes the world go around. No matter how much you get, there always seems to be a need for more. For many people, the amount of money they possess—and the things it can buy—are the measure of how successful they are in life.

The book of Proverbs contains a number of important points on how to manage money.

Points to Build On

Honor God with your possessions. Giving to God in thankfulness is an important key to successful living.

Proverbs 3:9-10: "Honor the L ord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine."

Plan for the future.

Proverbs 6:6-11: "Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep—so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man."

Generosity produces more happiness than stinginess. Real wealth lies in who we are, not in what we own.

Proverbs 11:24-26: "There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself. The people will curse him who withholds grain, but blessing will be on the head of him who sells it."

Be careful about cosigning for others' debts.

Proverbs 22:26-27: "Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, one of those who is surety for debts; if you have nothing with which to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you?"

Be careful about borrowing money.

Proverbs 22:7: "The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."

Application

There are many proverbs about managing money and the proper approach to wealth. Proverbs teaches that wealth isn't evil, but the accumulation of wealth without living a life according to God's purpose is useless.

—Gary Petty
Pastor of Austin, San Antonio and Waco, Texas, congregations

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Let's Win the Race!

Recently I watched the popular movie Seabiscuit. After it was over, the tears just flowed as I thought of all the lessons that I learned from this movie based on a true story.

The movie started with a broken horse, a broken young man (Red Pollard) and two men who reached out to help them mend and rebuild from all the damage done by neglect, abuse, being abandoned and the hard knocks of life. They helped them not only mend, but become champions! To win the race! To become better than they thought they could ever be.

It was also a movie of courage. After getting on top, both horse and rider sustained crippling injuries that seemed impossible to overcome. But with the will and determination to not give up, once again they regained their championship. They did the seemingly impossible!

Our race in this life is much like the story of Seabiscuit. God has called many of us who have been broken by the difficulties of life. We are people who have many obstacles to overcome to win the final prize. God's goal is to mend us, to challenge us beyond our wildest dreams, to help us to not give up. Most of all, it's to help us reach out and win the prize of a lifetime. Our golden prize will never tarnish but will last for eternity.

Sometimes it can become difficult to see through the clouds of trials and see that golden prize. Sometimes is seems that our opponent, Satan, will overtake us and cause us to be defeated. We can be like Seabiscuit who had a determination to not be beaten. During a race, when he caught sight of the horse he was racing against, he took off like lightning and left the other horse in the dust.

When we feel that we are losing the race, we can reach up to our Trainer and ask for renewed strength, a new fire within us to get up and get going again.

Without the special care of a great trainer and jockey, Seabiscuit would not have become a champion horse. Without the jockey being taken in, encouraged and cared for by a special benefactor, he would have never ridden a champion horse.

Our Trainer and Benefactor, God, is there to make sure that we win the race that He has set before us. We need not go it alone! With God's help we can win the race!

—Janet Treadway
Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation

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Fasting and Perfection

In Matthew 5:48 we find a startling statement. "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." God is saying, through Matthew, that human beings have the awesome potential for perfection!

The word in Greek for perfect in this verse is teleios and it means completeness or maturity. Complete perfection will come at the resurrection to those who are becoming spiritually mature in this life.

But God knew that the human heart would be a major stumbling block (Jeremiah 17:9). Therefore He has given us powerful tools to use with the help of His Holy Spirit. Fasting is one of those tools. For our growth into perfection, fasting is an absolute necessity.

Many have struggled with various problems and sins for years or even decades. Some have become "spiritual casualties." Fasting helps to prevent this tragedy. When we humble ourselves through fasting, God takes note of us! He knows that we are serious about becoming perfect.

An effective spiritual fast must be accompanied by diligent Bible study, zealous prayer and meditation. God's response to this type of fast is recorded in Isaiah 58:9. "Then you shall call, and the L ord will answer, you shall cry and He will say, here I am."

There are numerous examples of fasting in the Bible. In Leviticus 23:26-32, God commands His people to abstain from food for one day, on the Day of Atonement.

Psalm 109:24 states that David's knees were weak from fasting, his body had become gaunt. The apostle Paul fasted often (2 Corinthians 11:27). And evil Ahab humbled himself through fasting in 1 Kings 21:27.

Even our Savior, who had the fullness of the Holy Spirit, fasted 40 days and 40 nights in preparation for His titanic battle with the devil. If Jesus Christ fasted, can we do any less? These examples tell us that we cannot survive Satan's fiery darts and reach perfection without fasting!

Although fasting may cause physical discomfort, it will cause spiritual healing to come about quickly! (Isaiah 58:8, New Revised Standard Version). When we approach the throne of grace through fasting, God will help us "loose the bonds of wickedness" (Isaiah 58:6). He will help us remove the sin that has us trapped (Hebrews 12:1).

In these perilous and trying times, we must employ the powerful tool of fasting. Indeed fasting may keep us on that narrow road that leads to perfection.

—Leon Leonard
Akron, Ohio, congregation

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The Tomato Plant

In 1975, I was a 20-year-old mother of two, in an abusive marriage, and the impact of the hopelessness of my life was hitting me. I knew if there was any hope at all, it would come only from God. I began to earnestly pray and to read the entire Bible.

For months, I felt numb and wondered if my life was so useless that even God did not want it. But I kept on praying anyway. And I went to several churches, but as soon as I saw that they were not teaching what the Bible said, I would try another one.

That year I had planted my first tomato plant, beside my front step. Someone ran over it, and I had picked the bent plant back up and strapped it with nylon to a stake. A short time later, someone kicked a ball into the middle of the plant, and it split down the middle. I attempted another mend job, and then I went to my room and prayed.

I told God that I felt just like that plant. I was broken and beaten down. I didn't mean to not trust Him, but I needed some encouragement. If He would just let that tomato plant have one tomato on it, it would encourage me and let me know there was still hope and He cared for me.

Shortly after, I went outside and, just like the song about the yellow ribbons, my plant was full of yellow blossoms! Now I had confidence in God!

I happened to see a broadcast on TV and recognized that it was a program sprouted from Mr. Armstrong's radio broadcast that had often caught my family's attention since I was a young child. Though abnormally shy, I dialed the toll-free number and a very gentle male voice took my requests for booklets and a visit. I was soon invited to attend church services and happily drove an hour each way with my two babies.

My family and I enjoyed many tomatoes from that one little plant. But most of all I began to learn about true faith in things yet unseen.

—Carolyn Prater
Cincinnati East, Ohio, congregation

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Turning the Hearts...
I Remember Mama

There's nothing more "homey" than a child coming in the front door and smelling the aroma of fresh-baked bread! Put a pat of butter on the hot slice of bread and enjoy the moment and make a memory.

When I was a youngster, one of the early programs on television was I Remember Mama. This sitcom featured stories in the home that revolved around the mother of the household. This past month Mother's Day was observed. Cards, phone calls and visits were made to "mamas" all over the world. Whether you observe the day or not, mothers need to be honored by those who believe in following God's teachings (Exodus 20:12).

What may we do to honor our mothers as part of the Fifth Commandment?

•  Show our mothers respect throughout the year by spending time with or on them. Taking time to write cards or telephoning them to let them know how we are doing and finding out how they are doing is showing respect. Seeking their advice on difficult issues is another way of acknowledging them as our mothers. A gift occasionally sends a loving message that we care about and love them.

•  Thank them for what they have done for us. Reflect on all of their sacrifices for us and let our mothers know that we remember and appreciate what they have done and may still do for us. Memories are important to our folks as they grow older. To recall memories of their love and service to us as children is another way to show respect.

•  Help them. We need to make every effort to help our mothers in their older age, though this can be difficult if we are not close by. Our mothers may not be as strong or able to do the chores they once performed with ease. Help them with some of the cleaning, ironing and shopping—you get the idea. This also will show them respect.

•  Being a quality, godly person will mean that they may see you and me as successful in life. Many mothers have told me with a glowing face of the successes of their children. You could just feel that they were "pleased" with what their children had become. When we are people of character, we bring respect to the woman who bore us.

•  Pray for them. Thank God for your mother (and father, too) and ask Him to help them in their latter years. Remember their needs and present them to our loving Heavenly Father for His attention to them. I'm sure God will appreciate His children remembering their earthly parents as He appreciates being remembered by us.

Proverbs 31:28 states, "Her children rise up and call her blessed..." Let's all "bless" our mothers by showing the respect and love to them for all they have done and do for us!

—Gary E. Antion

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Question and Answer: Why Doesn't Your Church Use the Symbol of the Cross?

Thank you for your interest. The Greek word translated as "cross" is stauros. It means the upright or stake portion of an instrument of execution that has been used in several cultures down through history. Sometimes executioners used a crosspiece at the top of or in different places on the stake; at other times, there was no crosspiece. It's impossible to know exactly what type the Romans used in the crucifixion of Christ. It is clear, however, that the Romans attached a sign over His head (Matthew 27:37), which could have been upon a stake or a crosspiece.

Because Christ's death is of such monumental significance to the Christian, some have mistakenly thought that the cross should be a part of Christian worship. But we should remember that it was an instrument of torture. When we stop to realize that fact, it should be clear that it's grossly inappropriate to wear it as religious jewelry or an object of worship. Some would argue that using a cross in this manner symbolizes the value of Christ's death. We disagree.

It's true that the apostle Paul referred to the cross in a symbolic way (1 Corinthians 1:17, 23). Paul also used the cup of wine from the Passover as a symbol (1 Corinthians 10:21). And John the Baptist referred to Christ as the "Lamb of God" (John 1:36). But this doesn't mean that we should begin to use cups or figures of lambs as religious ornaments or as objects of worship.

Furthermore, the second of God's Ten Commandments strictly prohibits the use of objects in worship. "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them" (Exodus 20:4-5). (For more information about how the Ten Commandments apply in everyday Christian life, please see our booklet The Ten Commandments. If you do not have a copy, we would be happy to send you one. Or you can find it online at the literature library of our Web site at www.ucg.org.)

God wants us to direct our worship and prayers to Him, not to any physical object. Christ explained this principle in John 4:24: "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth." Following the biblical instruction, the United Church of God does not use the figure or image of a cross in its worship services. Neither do UCG IA members wear crosses as symbols of devotion. We refer to the cross in the way that the Scripture refers to it—that is, as a figure of speech to explain Christ's atoning death for us.

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Share Your Treasures!

Do you have any short items of biblical wisdom, humor or practical information that you would like to share in this section? Or if you have any suggestions, please contact United News, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 or mike_bennett@ucg.org.

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