Rubbergate

 Heaven’s Bank – Writing Checks Without Deposits?

 Anybody remember “Rubbergate”? The term was a nickname given to a government scandal which broke in early 1992 (from the expression “rubber check”). The U. S. House of Representatives was allowing members to overdraw their House checking accounts without risk of being penalized by the House Bank (the House Bank provided overdraft protection to its account holders). Out of the hundreds who did, few actually broke any laws. But 22 Congressmen/women were eventually singled out. The scandal strengthened a widespread perception of corruption and malfeasance in the federal government and led to major changes in the House. During a press conference to answer questions about the scandal, Congressman Joe Early (Democrat, Massachusetts), made this statement: “They gave me a book of checks. They didn’t ask for deposits.”

 I don’t know if Early was serious, or just making a desperate if pathetic duck for cover. Whatever the case, his statement reflects a widespread problem in our culture and to a great extent in the church. Many people believe that they ought to get without giving, to enjoy perks and privileges without personal effort, to enjoy the sweets that come from labor without the sweat, to withdraw without making deposits. Ours is an “it’s-all-about- me, what-have-you- done-for me lately” world. I want to focus especially for a few moments on the church’s situation and attitude. Let’s settle it first of all that God provides overdraft protection! That is, we get much more from God than we can ever give! God loved us and provided for our reconciliation with Him when we were “without strength. . .ungodly. . . sinners. . .enemies” (Romans 5:6-10). The Bible says what we ought to say with humility and gratitude but with certainty – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Again, the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-5). Through His grace, which is, as we often hear preachers say, God’s “unmerited favor,” God made copious deposits into Heaven’s bank account in our behalf. If we had to deposit good works that merit salvation to save ourselves, the check would bounce every time for every accountable person (see Romans 3:23). And yet we write checks off of God’s grace daily. But wait a minute. While true God gives us overdraft protection, it is NOT true He never asks for deposits! After declaring we are saved by grace and not works, Paul the apostle went on to declare Christians are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10). Finally, Galatians 5:13 is another of many New Testament texts that remind us that while God’s grace dismisses the notion we earn salvation, it does not dismiss effort – “For you brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use your liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Christians may or may not be members of Congress. But it is ridiculous and scandalous to think we can write checks on Heaven’s bank without ever making deposits. We are saved to serve. Think about it.

Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN