Joshua 16:10. “And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimities unto this day, and serve under tribute.”
SERVE UNDER TRIBUTE. It doesn’t seem bad to some at this time and place To make room for anyone to occupy this space God intended for His own people alone Who have given Him first place to sit on their life’s throne. But it is wrong when those who do not belong to the Lord And who do not read or even care for His Word To be a participant at a table set For those who know and willingly admit
They are there saved only by redeeming grace And obey His commands, and come to seek His face.
A seat outside that circle of favor Is not a rejection of the person, but rather; A place where they can look and learn Why it is important they never God’s grace do spurn But by watching and learning they soon will know Whether their profession is real or it is just for show. There is the right on the part of all to look for fruit To not to come there paying some form of tribute Like so many around who always ask for money Taking what they can get from ten dollars to a penny.
Those who think tribute, whether a tithe or an offering Is a way to help compensate for all of Christ’s suffering, Are insulting God who paid the highest price That those who repent, and have been born twice May enter into the good of all God has provided – How terrible it is to think they have somehow added To the price of redemption by a tribute they pay, And hoping that God in a future judgment day Will look on their tribute as some kind of penance, Instead of putting faith in Christ following true repentance.
If into a fellowship a “tribute-payer” comes in – Never having repented nor accepted God’s provision for sin; Give him a learner’s seat and tell him you are glad he is there, And as he looks on hopefully, he will start to really care As to why Christ died on the cross of shame, Making full payment and accepting the blame For all the sins we have committed, And the righteousness that is His has been imputed To those who trust in Him alone and are fully freed – And as for the tribute money – there is no need.
“O God of all grace, thank You for bringing me into a place of nearness as a member of Your family. There are those who seem to think everyone has a right to participate in holy things as long as they are willing to contribute some finances to the work of the Lord. May we never get to the place where money is an issue of acceptance in Thy assemblies. The work is Thine. Help me to be on guard to give a reasonable explanation of what a New Testament church is whenever someone unknown to us comes in to our meetings. Help me to be Christ-like, compassionate, understanding and helpful to them. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”