Ask Not
Dr. Thomas Galt
January 20, 1961. A day I will always remember. I sat glued to our television with my folks in our den watching history unfold. John F. Kennedy was being inaugurated as the President of the United States. I have always enjoyed reading of and watching history. Social Studies and history always were some of my best subjects when I was in school. But here I was as a 9 year old boy watching our black and white television of our 35th President taking the Oath of Office. While watching it there was something he said that caught my attention even at that young age. And to this day you see news clippings, reruns of a statement that President Kennedy made famous. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather ask what you can do for your country.” Many American political leaders have quoted it, misquoted it, used it through the years since. It is a powerful statement that is truly worth looking at. I don’t know whether President Kennedy wrote that statement or one of his speech writers, but in the annals of quotations I dare say that it is one of the most repeated quotes of a political leader. It’s echo has reverberated throughout history to this day. Many have answered that call throughout the ages. Our dynamic men and women who have answered the call to our military are among the greatest. They have not asked what our country can do for them, they have asked what can we do for our country, and then did something about it. And many have given their lives answering that call selflessly. We honor them with our respect and love and truly thank them for what they have given for us. EVERYTHING.
I know that you are sitting there reading this wanting to know where I am headed with this. Okay. Here is my answer. Over the last 38 years of my ministry and even before, I have been in church. Raised in a Catholic church till I was 19 then attending Protestant churches and independent churches after, I have watched many come and go. A few years back there was a gentleman who was a dynamic Christian that I had the honor to know and to work with on a radio broadcast for Sunday School material. We would read and study the Sunday School lesson and then give closing remarks. Brother Herb Shelton was a dyed in the wool believer who wanted to share these lessons with those who could not get out and go to church. He paid for these programs out of his own pocket so that those that were shut ins could get the lessons each week. I asked him one day why he was doing it. I have never forgotten his response. “John Kennedy said “Ask not what your country can do for you, rather ask what you can do for your country.” I have taken that statement and changed it. “Ask not what the church can do for you, rather ask what you can do for the church.” People need these lessons. They need to hear the word. It is my joy to do this each week for them.” That hit me like a Mack truck. Brother Herb also had this habit. His wife loved WalMart. But he was not thrilled with going there and walking around. His wife didn’t drive so he had to take her. He made it a habit of sitting in the parking lot at the local WalMart and watching people. The expressions on their faces, how they acted towards others, etc.
This lesson taught me so much over the years and has really brought some insight to my life and ministry. How so? Well, I was watching a movie with my kids last night. “Agent Cody Brown.” Cody was trying to get out of the house to go rescue someone but he had been grounded for being out late. He told his brother what he needed to do and wanted his help. His brother’s response was, I am sorry to say, so typical of most people when he responded, “What’s in it for me?” Ever heard that? I have so many times. What’s in it for me? When some come to find Christ, their thoughts and actions resemble Agent Cody Brown’s brother, WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? What can they get out of the church. What are you going to do for me. How will I profit from this? It is a sad but proven fact that this mentality has permeated through out our society very prevalently. What’s in it for me? What do I get out of the deal? Sad but very true. Church goers flit from church to church, meeting to meeting to see what they can get out of the church or meeting. Not staying long enough to even truly find out what is there. Or they jump from theology to theology and never get grounded in the true basic tenants of the Gospel. Paul said in James 2:14-17 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. We can believe all we want to, but if we don’t put into practice what we believe then our faith is for naught. God’s very nature, down to His very core is basically found in two words. He is a LOVER and He is a GIVER.
Let me explain. It can be found in one verse. Of course there are others that go along with it, but if you really want to see God’s nature towards us, then look no further than one of the most quoted verses of the bible. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. God so LOVED the world that He GAVE. Jesus Himself followed that same example throughout His whole life. He loved the people so much that not only did He give up His own life for us, but He also was a giver in life. Feeding of the five thousand, healing those that were in need, spiritually, mentally and physically. Acts 10:38 says 38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. He didn’t ask, WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? He could have gotten that when He was tempted of the devil. Think about it. All He had to do was worship the devil and, well read it for yourself: Matthew 4:8-11 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Jesus followed in His Father’s footsteps. He was a lover and a giver. He didn’t expect anything in return. He knew what His prize was going to be. OUR VERY LIVES FOR ALL ETERNITY. He GAVE UP the glories of Heaven to come and GIVE His life for us. Because He loved us and was a giver. You want to see peace in your life? You want to see life lived to it’s fullest? Then follow in the footsteps of our Savior. Be a lover and a giver. ASK NOT WHAT THE CHURCH CAN DO FOR YOU, RATHER ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE CHURCH AND FOR THOSE AROUND YOU. When people see you they should see a mirror of the life of Christ. Am I saying you need to give up your life? No. He wants to see His people blessed. Receive the blessings of Abraham. From the mouth of our Lord we read: 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matt 6:19-21