Don’t Change Anything

II Timothy 3:14-17

A few years before the depression, my grand father had finally managed to buy a farm in Oklahoma. As his profits had grown, he borrowed money to purchase a herd of registered Milking Shorthorn cattle. When the Depression started, the cattle’s resale value dropped by over 90% and the bank foreclosed, claiming the loan was no longer secured. To make up the difference, they also seized the farm, leaving the family homeless.

For the next several years, they moved from place to place in New Mexico, southern Colorado and Oklahoma in a covered wagon, trading horses and sharecropping in various places. Unfortunately, the dustbowl started about three years after the Depression began, eliminating these opportunities and forcing them back on the road. Their final return to southern Colorado ended when Dad enlisted in the army during World War II. During the time they traveled, they had lived in houses, sheep folds, and their wagon.

My mom’s family were even worse off. At one point they moved to Missouri to live with relatives and work. The low elevation caused Granddad problems and doctors told him he’d die if he stayed in that area. They moved to La Veta, Colorado, where Grandma discovered she could not live in the higher elevation. They moved back to Campo and toughed it out but it was really tough. For several years they lived in a converted shed about ten foot by twelve foot. Finally they moved into what they called the big house. It was twelve feet by sixteen feet.

My parents have been blessed to have running water, indoor plumbing, cars, electricity and central heating. Their Grand kids live in houses with rooms larger than my grandparents house. Some of the grandkids earn more in a week than my grandparents earned annually, and none have ever been hungry.

Today, it looks like we are poised on the brink of another depression. What conditions will be like if it occurs is unforeseeable, but there are surely going to be changes. Such changes are an inherent part of life. Adapting to those changes is an ongoing challenge.

Fortunately, God does not change. MalachI 3:6 states, “For I am the LORD, I change not;” James 1: 1: 16 makes it clear there is not even an appearance of change. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

As a result there have been no changes in what God requires. God’s word has not changed, regardless how much earthly conditions may change. Paul warns Timothy of the danger of following new trends and ideas.

“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” (II Timothy 3:14-17)

The scripture provides every thing required for salvation. It was given by God and is designed to supply complete instruction for identifying what is wrong, teaching us to fix problems, and teaching us how to do what is right. No other writings or teachings are needed to do any activity to please God. Just continuing to do the same God instructed will be the best you can do.