“And Jeroboam said in his heart, now shall the kingdom return to the house of David; if this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again to their Lord even to Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. Whereupon the king took counsel and made two calves of gold., and said unto them, it is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” 1 Kings 12:26-28
Throughout man’s history, God has made demands of His own people and those who would become His. Always there have been those who would cry, “This is too rigid”, “The Leaders are expecting too much”, “You are being too strict”. Although some of these claims may be in order, I am of the opinion that many are from the motive of Jeroboam in the passage above. Let us see if God does require too much.
1. Is it too much to ask that we assemble three times per week for no more than 5 hours when we have the remaining 162 hours for ourselves?
2. Is it too much to ask that we contribute a small part of our income after buying all the things we now have?
3. Is it asking too much when we insist that all should study the Bible, when we read the papers, magazines, and send children to school 5 days a week to study?
No, it is not too much. Indeed it is not nearly enough. We are doing such a pitiful little for Him that did so much for us we should be embarrassed and ashamed.
By: J.R. Chism
February 7, 1965
