What's the difference between "Coming up Higher" and "Taking too much upon yourself"?
First, let's look at the two extremes.
Sometimes there is a need in the church, and God gives someone the eyes to see that need, but they're afraid do anything about it. They say, "If the pastor wanted me to do it, he would have asked me. And if God wanted me to do it, he would have told the pastor to ask me." Maybe the pastor sees the need, too, and he's praying to God to send someone to fill it. And God is sending someone, but they just don't get the message. (clean bathrooms, do computer work, get ladies info for baptism form)
That's when God tells you that you need to come up higher.
Other times, there is a need, and someone has eyes to see it, and they step up to fill that need, and it doesn't have anything to do with God or a the pastor. (brother who saw the need to invite more women out to church, another who saw the need to be an assistant pastor, get ladies info for own self)
That's when God tells you that you're taking too much upon yourself.
Of course, every time God tell you one thing, Satan will be faithful to tell you the other. And the Bible says to believe not every spirit.
1 John 4:1
- Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
So how do we know the difference?
First, let's look at the classic examples of "Taking too much upon yourself." Korah and Absalom.
Korah (Ye take too much upon yourselves):
Numbers 16:3
- And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
Numbers 16:6-7
- This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;
- And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.
Absalom spirit:
2 Samuel 15:2-6
- And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
- And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
- Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
- And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
- And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
Now, let's look at some classic examples of "Coming up higher."
David:
1 Samuel 17:26-32
- And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
- And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
- And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
- And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
- And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
- And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
- And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
Epaphroditus
Philippians 2:25-30
- Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.
- For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.
- For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
- I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
- Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:
- Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
- Communication
Galatians 6:6
- Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
Hebrews 13:16
- But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
- Understanding
- Insanity
- Doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.
Sometimes, that's the definition of faithfulness. Asking and asking and asking until they say yes.
Be not as the horse
Psalms 32:9
- Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
Proverbs 4:7
- Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
How do you get understanding? by asking questions.
James 1:5
- If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
That's the difference between faithful consistency and being in a rut.
Acts 17:11
- These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
They didn't ask out of unbelief. They received the word, and then searched the scriptures.
Ask questions to change yourself, not to justify yourself.
(searching for acorns versus W.C. Fields "looking for loopholes")
Job 34:31-32
- Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
- That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
- Motivation
The Bible says to do good unto all men, especially yourself.
Galatians 6:10
- As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
No?
The faithful servant of the Lord serves his fellowservants.
Matthew 24:42-47
- Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
- But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
- Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
- Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
- Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
- Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Matthew 25:21
- His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Let us consider one another
Hebrews 10:24
- And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
(example of Pastor Robinson vs. Pastor Ray, when Pastor Thomas was out of town)
Faithful in another man's:
Luke 16:12
- And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
When you break it down, there are three differences between coming up higher and taking too much upon yourself:
- Communication -- Are you making every effort to communicate with the Man of God? Or are you afraid of him?
- Understanding -- Have you really made the effort to understand what's going on? Or are you just reacting from your emotions?
- Motivation -- Is this really about serving one another? Or is it really all about you?
