Why Do Churches Have Secondhand Pianos? ∙∙

Why Do Churches Have Secondhand Pianos? ∙∙

Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, “How have we robbed You?” – Malachi 3:8

Malachi 1:11-14

“But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. Around the world, they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

“But you dishonor my name with your actions. You say it’s right to defile the Lord’s table by bringing contemptible food. You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the LORD,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen, crippled, and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the LORD.

“Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!”

The Slippery Slope of Ethical Compromise

Nearly everyone has, at some point, taken office supplies from their workplace. Such actions are often dismissed as trivial, akin to a “little white lie” of stealing. However, a study titled “The Slippery Slope: How Small Ethical Transgressions Pave the Way for Larger Future Transgressions” suggests that even minor acts, like taking a pen from work, can pave the way for more significant ethical breaches. The study found that individuals who commit small infractions often rationalize their behavior, making it easier to justify larger acts of dishonesty over time.

Johnny Cash’s song, “One Piece at a Time,” illustrates this concept. The song recounts the story of a man working on a GM Cadillac assembly line in Detroit who, over 25 years, gradually steals Cadillac parts to assemble a makeshift car. His long spree of theft began with a single stolen piece.

“People rationalize their behavior to justify it,” explains Ordóñez, one of the study’s authors. “They might think, ‘No one got hurt,’ or ‘Everyone does it.’ Over time, they feel comfortable doing something slightly worse, eventually leading to more severe unethical actions.” The study references Bernie Madoff, who orchestrated the largest Ponzi scheme in history and received a 150-year prison sentence. Madoff explained, “It starts with taking a little, maybe a few hundred or a few thousand. You get comfortable with that, and before you know it, it snowballs into something big.” (Emily Cohn, The Huffington Post).

Stealing from God

It is sobering to consider the idea of stealing from God. How is this even possible? God does not leave things unattended for us to take. Instead, we rob Him by failing to give what He has instructed us to provide. As Wiersbe notes, “Since God made and owns everything, He doesn’t need anything that we can bring Him” (Acts 17:25).

Under the Mosaic law, which served as the constitution for the Nation of Israel, God made commitments to His people while clearly outlining His expectations. The sacrificial system was designed to support the priesthood in their temple duties. Serving in the temple was their “occupation.” Their livelihood depended on portions of the sacrificial offerings, as outlined in Numbers 18:8, 11, 19, 21-24: “The Lord gave these instructions to Aaron: ‘I have put you in charge of all the sacred offerings that are brought to me by the people of Israel. I have given all these consecrated offerings to you and your sons as your permanent share.’”

When the people failed to bring their tithes and offerings, they deprived the temple of essential resources. For example, when Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, he found the temple storerooms empty, forcing priests and Levites to abandon their service and return to their fields to provide for their families. As recorded in Nehemiah 13:10, “I also discovered that the Levites had not been given their prescribed portions of food, so they and the singers, who were to conduct the worship services, had all returned to work their fields.” Although the people had vowed to bring their tithes, as stated in Nehemiah 10:34-39, they failed to honor their commitment.

This failure to fulfill their obligations is addressed in Malachi 3:8: “Should people rob God? Yet you have robbed me! But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.”

REFLECT & PRAY

The failure to honor God with our best reflects a deeper issue of the heart. As Stanley reminds us, “Don’t bring God something leftover that you do not want . . . He deserves our best.”

Father, encourage and strengthen me in keeping my commitment to You. I recognize that part of me, my sinful nature, often leads me to offer You less than my best, take shortcuts, and just get by. May I honor You fully in all that I do.

INSIGHT

The Father Deserves Our Best

The Father desires and deserves our very best, yet we often give Him something far less. Instead of offering what He has asked for, we decide on our own terms what to give, often substituting something inadequate or unworthy.

Malachi’s message was directed primarily at the priests, as seen in Malachi 1:6, 2:1, 7-8. The priests held solemn responsibilities as representatives of the Father. They were tasked with teaching the law and mediating between God and His people. However, they failed in their duties, dishonoring God’s name and disgracing their sacred role. The Lord questioned them, asking why they did not honor Him as a son honors a father or as a servant respects a master. Instead of humility, the priests responded with arrogance, asking, “In what way have we despised Your name?” (Malachi 1:6).

Defiled Sacrifices and Disrespect

In Malachi 1:6-14, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies rebukes the priests for their contempt and disrespect.

Malachi 1:6: “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: ‘A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! But you ask, “How have we ever shown contempt for your name?”’”

The priests showed contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on the altar. When confronted, they arrogantly asked, “How have we defiled the sacrifices?” (Malachi 1:7). Malachi explained that they defiled the altar by offering blind, crippled, and diseased animals as sacrifices.

Malachi 1:8: “When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!”

The Lord expressed His displeasure with their actions, even wishing that someone would shut the temple doors to prevent such worthless sacrifices from being offered.

Malachi 1:10: “How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you, and I will not accept your offerings.”

God’s Name Honored Among the Nations

Despite the priests’ failures, the Lord declared that His name would still be honored among the nations.

Malachi 1:11: “But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. Around the world, they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations.”

God’s Name is Dishonored by the Religious Leaders

However, the priests continued to dishonor God’s name through their actions. They brought contemptible offerings and claimed that serving the Lord was too burdensome.

Malachi 1:12-13: “But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table. You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands.”

What does it mean to “turn up your nose” at God’s commands?

Have you ever felt or shown scorn or disrespect toward someone? That’s what this term boils down to in a rather ugly way. It is a haughty way of showing disrespect to the Lord God of Heaven’s armies.

The New American Standard (NAS) translates it as “you disdainfully sniff at it,” with the Hebrew verb naphach (translated as “sniff at”) indicating “a gesture of disrespect.” Some translations use adverbs such as “disdainfully” (JB/NJB/NAS), “contemptuously” (NIV), or “scornfully” (REB). The NLT uses the idiom “you turn up your nose at me.”

The CEV renders it as “you even make vulgar signs at me.” It can also be translated as “you have only scorn for me” or “you treat me with scorn” (FRCL and ITCL).

The Lord condemned their hypocrisy. He calls out those who promised to give Him their best offerings but brought defective ones instead.

Malachi 1:14: “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king, and my name is feared among the nations!”

Through Malachi, the Father accuses them of dishonesty, deception, and outright cheating. The Hebrew word nakal, translated as “cheat” or “swindler,” denotes “deceit, treachery, or cunning.” It is often used to describe actions or behaviors that involve “trickery, betrayal, or malicious intent.” Nakal denotes“dishonesty or the exploitation of others through deceit.” Such moral failure and deceitful behavior indicate a heart that is far from the Father’s standards of truth, integrity, and righteousness.

Lessons from the Failures of the Religious Leaders

The behavior of the priests in Malachi’s time serves as a warning for all children of the King. Their arrogant disregard for God’s commands and willingness to give less than their best show the worst parts of human nature. These accounts, recorded in Scripture, are intended to instruct and guide us.

As Romans 15:4 states, “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.”

Take a moment to pause and reflect. Are we guilty of harboring similar attitudes? Do we genuinely give the Father our very best, or do we only give Him what’s left after serving ourselves?

This tendency to prioritize our desires over the high standards the Father has set for us shows in many ways. For example, churches often receive secondhand pianos as donations. How so? The donors bought new pianos for themselves, and they are simply donating what’s left over as a tax write-off.

These actions reveal a mindset that suggests our sacrifices to God are merely what we deem acceptable. Things that are expendable or even worthless. How tragic. He is not merely our master and Father deserving of our high regard and honor. He is the King of the Universe.

The Father is deserving of far more than our castoffs. He calls us to honor Him with the best we have, not only in material offerings but in every aspect of our lives.

The choice before us is clear: do we commit fully, or settle for something less?

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© Dr. H 2026

Pure and Undefiled Religion ∙∙-

Pure and Undefiled Religion ∙∙

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. – James 1:27

Isaiah 1:17-18

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

The Devastating Impact of COVID-19 on Nursing Homes

The coronavirus pandemic has left an indelible and tragic mark on the world, becoming one of the darkest chapters in American history. Among the many challenges posed by this global crisis, the situation in the nation’s nursing homes proved especially devastating. In just nine months of 2020, COVID-19 claimed the lives of approximately 100,000 individuals in long-term care facilities, including residents and staff. This shocking death toll forced countless families to face the tragic loss of elderly parents and loved ones, leaving a trail of grief and heartbreak.

The Pain of Isolation

For many families, the pain of losing loved ones was intensified by their inability to be with them during their final moments. Shelter-in-place mandates and rapidly implemented regulations meant that those who passed away often did so in isolation, deprived of the comfort and presence of their families. This forced separation created an emotional void, making the grief of those left behind even more difficult to bear. The lack of physical closeness and the inability to say goodbye left many feeling a profound sense of emptiness and a lack of closure, which made the emotional impact of the pandemic even greater.

A Startling Statistic

One statistic accentuates the severity of this crisis: individuals living in long-term care facilities represented less than 1% of the U.S. population but accounted for 43% of all COVID-19 deaths by June 2020 (AARP Bulletin, December 2020). This disproportionate loss revealed significant weaknesses in the systems designed to care for and protect the elderly. The pandemic’s impact on nursing homes serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within our healthcare system. It highlights the importance of prioritizing the care and dignity of our most vulnerable populations. It exposed the critical need for reform to better equip long-term care facilities to safeguard the health and well-being of residents and staff during possible future crises.

A Call to Reflect God’s Heart

Caring for the vulnerable lies at the very core of God’s heart and serves as a profound reflection of His divine nature. Throughout the Scriptures, the call to assist those in need is presented not as a mere suggestion but as a fundamental expression of true worship. As James 1:27 declares: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

This verse underscores the inseparable connection between faith and action, highlighting that authentic devotion to God is demonstrated through tangible acts of compassion. The Father calls each child of the King to mirror His boundless love by offering care, support, and relief to those who are suffering. This sacred responsibility is not optional; it is a direct manifestation of the Father’s love working through His children, transforming their faith into a living testimony of His grace and mercy.

REFLECT & PRAY

Each child of the King has been entrusted with a God-given responsibility to demonstrate His love through acts of service to those in need. Art Linkletter sagaciously advised, “Do a little more than you’re paid to. Give a little more than you have to. Try a little harder than you want to. Aim a little higher than you think possible, and give a lot of thanks to God for health, family, and friends.”

Father, give me a heart that sincerely desires to care for those in need, filled with compassion and tenderness. May I serve others selflessly, following the remarkable example of the Lord Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT

The Call to Authentic Religion

To demonstrate the authenticity of their faith, every child of the King must actively apply spiritual truth in their daily lives. Authentic religion is not confined to outward rituals or practices but stems from a profound inner transformation of the heart through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This transformation is characterized by a deep, selfless love for others, especially society’s most vulnerable: orphans and widows. As Hughes notes, “‘Orphans and widows’ were the most helpless people in Jewish society, their ‘distress’ (literally ‘pressure’) arising from their desperate need for food and clothing.”

The Mission of Christ

True and undefiled religion is characterized by a compassionate commitment to aiding those in need, reflecting the Father’s deep concern for the poor and marginalized. The Lord Jesus Christ clearly articulated this mission of caring for the vulnerable: Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.”

We are never more like Christ than when we follow His example, walk in His footsteps, and imitate His ways. As Burdick notes, “Genuine religion is a life-changing force. One’s religion, then, should be more than external; it must spring from an inner spiritual reality that expresses itself in love to others and holiness before God.”

The Apostle John’s Call to Action

The apostle John reinforces this principle with piercing clarity: 1 John 3:17-18:


“If someone has the world’s goods to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion, how can God’s love be in that person?
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”

John challenges children of the King to go beyond words and feelings, urging them to demonstrate love through tangible actions.

James on Pure and Undefiled Religion

James echoes this sentiment, describing pure and undefiled religion as an active demonstration of caring for the vulnerable: James 1:27 “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unspotted by the world.”

The Greek term translated as “visit” is episkeptesthai, which comes from epí, meaning “upon,” and skeptomai, meaning “to look”. This term expresses the idea of “looking after, caring for, tending to, comforting, or nursing the sick.” For example, in Matthew 25:36, 43, it is used to describe visiting and caring for those that the Lord Jesus Christ designates as His brothers during the 70th week of Daniel. The noun form, episkopos, refers to “a guardian, overseer, or elder, someone who watches over and ensures the welfare of others” (1 Peter 2:25).

The word “visit” in this context does not imply a casual social call but rather a deliberate effort to meet physical needs. As Fruchtenbaum explains, the Jewish usage of the term means “to visit, to care for, and supply the needs of those visited.”

Understanding Distress

The Greek term thlipsis is rich and evocative, conveying “intense pressure, affliction, or distress.” It is derived from the verb thlibo, meaning “to press,” “to crush,” “to compress,” or “to squeeze.” This imagery suggests “a force that constrains or burdens, much like the crushing of grapes underfoot or the pressing of olives to extract oil.” The UBS observes that in many languages, “trouble and suffering” is expressed as “that which causes pain.” This term highlights the intense pressure and hardships faced by orphans and widows, emphasizing the need for care and support.

In its biblical usage, thlipsisoften refers to the “trials, hardships, or suffering that individuals endure, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.”

Beyond Empathy: A Call to Action

Beyond surface-level acts of charity or fleeting gestures of caring for or giving to the poor, there is a profound call for deeper, more intentional engagement that transcends mere empathy. True religion, as James describes, demands purposeful action that directly addresses the needs of the vulnerable. While sympathy is valuable, it remains incomplete without tangible efforts to ease suffering. James challenges believers not only to “feel their pain” but to actively “meet their needs,” transforming compassion into deliberate, impactful action.

This compelling call to action reflects the very heart of God and the mission of Christ, urging children of the King to live out their faith in ways that bring hope, healing, and transformation to those in distress. It serves as a reminder that faith is not a passive state but an active force, demonstrated through love, service, and meaningful engagement with others.

The pandemic has exposed critical weaknesses in our healthcare and caregiving systems. Major gaps in our collective compassion have become clearly visible. It has highlighted the importance of community, the enduring necessity of hands-on empathy, and the urgent need to reflect God’s love through concrete, transformative actions.

Every child of the King is called to rise to this challenge, extending care to the most vulnerable among us and exemplifying the true essence of pure and undefiled worship through their actions. In answering this call, they fulfill their sacred duty to serve as instruments of love and restoration in a fractured world.

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© Dr. H 2026

Why Yearn for God? ∙

Why Yearn for God? ∙

We love Him because He first loved us. – 1 John 4:19 (KJV)

Psalms 19:7-10

The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.

Understanding Comfort Food

In the International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science (2017), comfort food is defined as providing “consolation or a feeling of well-being.” This emotional comfort is closely linked to our senses of taste, touch, and smell. The article states that comfort foods are usually sweet or salty rather than sour or bitter, and are often associated with childhood and home-cooked meals. These foods evoke positive memories and feelings, providing a temporary lift to our mood.

The Double-Edged Nature of Comfort Food

Comfort foods, while providing emotional gratification in moderation, are often seen by nutritionists as a double-edged sword. These foods, usually high in calories, sugars, unhealthy fats, and sodium, can lead to long-term health issues such as weight gain, hypertension, and other chronic diseases when eaten in excess.

The desire for comfort food tends to increase during times of stress, anxiety, fear, or uncertainty, a pattern often called emotional eating. This tendency to seek comfort in such foods reflects our inherent fallen nature. As humans, we turn to these foods for solace. However, there are healthier, more excellent ways to find comfort that can support overall well-being.

A Divine Source of Comfort

The Father provides a much greater source of comfort and strength than any earthly food. As we delight in Him, He nourishes and sustains us in ways that go beyond physical satisfaction.

Psalms 34:8: “Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!”

Psalms 34:8 invites us to “taste,” “to sample and experience the goodness of the Lord spiritually.” The Hebrewverb taam, translated as “taste,” refers to “both literal and spiritual nourishment.” “Taste” serves as “a metaphor for feasting on the Father and His Word, providing a deeper, more satisfying nourishment.”

The Connection Between Taste and Memory

Research shows a strong link between taste and long-term memory. Comfort foods, like “Mom’s apple pie,” often evoke vivid memories, sparking images of family gatherings and the warm comfort of home as they remind us of times spent sharing those meals.

Similarly, spiritual experiences of “tasting” the Lord and His Word leave lasting impressions on our hearts and minds. These encounters with God’s goodness are often clearly imprinted in our memories, highlighting specific details of when and where they happened. The more we experience His goodness, the more we desire Him.

A Deepening Desire for God

These treasured spiritual memories ignite and deepen our desire for the Lord. David, for example, expressed an unquenchable thirst for God, describing his longing in poetic and heartfelt terms.

He wrote in Psalms 42:1: “As the deer longs for streams of water, I long for you, O God.” David elaborated, in Psalms 73:25, “I desire you more than anything on earth.”

The profound impact of God’s goodness motivates those who experience it to pursue Him more deeply.

In Psalms 27:13, David proclaims unwavering faith in God’s goodness, encouraging all children of the King to trust His promises and find hope, even in the midst of life’s challenges: “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”

The Fulfillment of Delight

When we find our joy in the Lord, a remarkable transformation takes place within us. As our desires begin to align with His divine will, He fulfills them in ways that bring genuine joy and deep fulfillment. This alignment not only enriches our lives but also reveals the profound satisfaction that comes from pursuing a purpose greater than ourselves.

David writes in Psalms 37:4: “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Richison observes, “Our love for God and others originates in His love for us. God’s love is the incentive for our love . . . He took the initiative. His initiative enabled us to love because He put His love within us. He provided the loving apparatus.”

Father, thank You for loving me first. Thank You for giving me Your Word, which reveals the depth of Your love. Thank You for allowing me to experience the joy, pleasure, and delight of knowing You.

INSIGHT

The Origin of Love

Our yearning for God originates from His profound love for us. His unwavering devotion serves as both the cornerstone and the catalyst for authentic love. It is the ultimate source of true love. His love is remarkable; it precedes our responses, reaching out to us even before we can reciprocate. In this sense, the Father’s love is not only the foundation of our connection with Him but also the inspiration that empowers us to love genuinely. 

The apostle John observed, 1 John 4:19: “We love, because He first loved us.”

The Father embodies the ultimate source of love, as the Scriptures teach that God is love itself. 1 John 4:16: “God is love.”

Without His divine initiative, humanity would lack both understanding and the genuine experience of undeserved love.

God’s love is agape love, “an unconditional, selfless, and unchanging love.”

Our capacity to love originates from the Father’s love and the spiritual essence He endows us with. His boundless love awakens a deep, reciprocal response within our hearts, drawing us to love Him in return. As we grow in our understanding of His love, our ability to respond increases, profoundly influencing our decisions and actions. As Richison aptly states, “He took the initiative. His initiative enabled us to love because He put His love within us. He provided the loving apparatus.”

Understanding God’s Love

The love of God can be understood and experienced in two main ways: through the cognitive domain and the affective domain. On the one hand, God’s love is something we can study, understand, and reflect on. On the other hand, His love is deeply felt; we experience it in our hearts and lives. This dual perspective on God’s love is both invigorating and life-changing.

How do we grow in our understanding and experience of God’s love?

We do so by making time for His Word a priority. Spending time in the Scriptures allows us to truly feel God’s love both emotionally and intellectually. This practice helps build a strong relationship with Him, strengthening our understanding and connection.

The Ambiguity of 1 John 4:19

In the original Greek text of 1 John 4:19, there is no direct object, which leaves the verse open to interpretation. It could be translated as, “We love . . . because first He loved us.”

The King James Version assumes the Father is the object and adds the word him:
1 John 4:19: “We love him because he first loved us.” (KJV)

Other translations, such as the NLT, interpret the object as referring to others:
1 John 4:19: “We love each other because he loved us first.” (NLT)

The most common rendering omits the direct object entirely, leaving the verse intentionally ambiguous: 1 John 4:19: “We love ___ because He first loved us.”

This ambiguity highlights the complex and layered nature of love. The love of God not only motivates us to love Him but also empowers us to show that love to others. By knowing and experiencing the Father’s love, we become equipped to express it outwardly and share it with those around us. As Richison notes, “Our capacity to love spiritually rests on something greater than our personal power to love. It is the response to God’s perfect love.”

The Ultimate Spiritual Comfort Food

What is the ultimate spiritual comfort food for the children of the King? It is a deep longing for and embracing a relationship with the Father, drawing strength from His presence and His Word. This sacred nourishment refreshes us, enriches our spirits, and increases our love for both Him and others.

The goodness of the Lord not only transforms us but also offers deep fulfillment. As we experience and cherish His goodness, we find ourselves drawn into a closer communion with Him, discovering comfort and strength that surpass what the world can provide.

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© Dr. H 2026

God Does Not Have Grandchildren ∙∙∙

God Does Not Have Grandchildren ∙∙∙

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. – Ephesians 6:4

Deuteronomy 6:5-7

You must love the LORD your God with your whole mind, your whole being, and all your strength.

These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up.

The Foundations of American Higher Education

Students who take graduate courses in the history of American Higher Education are often surprised to learn that, frequently, the main purpose of America’s earliest colleges was to train Christian ministers. In the early days of the nation, there was no separation between church and state; instead, states actively supported churches in their religious missions.

Harvard College: A Legacy of Faith

Harvard College, established in 1636 as America’s first institution of higher learning, was founded with a clear spiritual purpose. Its original cornerstone reflects this intent:

“After God had carried us safe to New England and we had builded our houses, provided necessaries for our livelihood, reared convenient places for God’s worship, and settled the civil government, one of the next things we longed for and looked after was to advance learning and perpetuate to posterity, dreading to leave an illiterate ministry to the churches when our present ministers shall lie in the dust (1636).”

Yale University: A Response to Liberalism

Yale University, founded on October 16, 1701, by Congregationalist ministers, was established in response to the perceived rise of liberal ideas at Harvard. Named after Elihu Yale, a wealthy merchant and benefactor, the institution aimed to prepare students for both religious and civic leadership. Its mission was clear:

“Youth may be instructed in the Arts and Sciences who through the blessing of God may be fitted for Publick employment both in Church and Civil State.”

Students at Yale were held to rigorous spiritual and moral standards. They were required to live “religious, godly and blameless lives according to the rules of God’s Word, diligently reading the Holy Scriptures, the fountain of light and truth; and constantly attend upon all the duties of religion, both in public and secret.” Prayer was mandatory, and students were instructed to “consider the main end of his study to wit to know God in Jesus Christ” and “to lead a Godly, sober life.”

The Fragility of Faith Across Generations

Despite the strong faith and lofty aspirations of these early institutions, their spiritual fervor did not endure beyond their founding generations. Faith, salvation, and spiritual growth are not inherited; they must be cultivated anew in each individual. Parents bear the critical responsibility of passing on the Truth to their children, but ultimately, each child must make their own decision regarding belief. However, fathers must guide them in understanding the Truth.

The Apostle Paul clearly laid out this reality in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers . . . bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”

REFLECT & PRAY

Life on Earth is fleeting, but it offers the profound opportunity to discover and embrace the Truth. As children of the King, we are called to faithfully guide the next generation to understand God’s Word and live in alignment with His will.

The early American colleges were deeply rooted in Christian principles, emphasizing faith, education, and moral responsibility. Their legacy reminds us of the enduring need to pass on the Truth to future generations, ensuring that the light of faith continues to shine.

Father, may I faithfully pass on the Truth You have revealed in Your Word with those I love and care for.

INSIGHT

The Tragic Tale of Eli and His Sons

The story of Eli, the high priest, and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, as recounted in 1 Samuel, serves as a sobering reminder of the devastating repercussions of parental negligence and spiritual failure. This narrative emphasizes the vital role of wise discipline in child development, which fosters and exemplifies a personal relationship with God, and the serious consequences when it is lacking.

A Failure to Impart Faith

The Aaronic priesthood, passed down from father to son, was a sacred duty. However, Eli failed to teach his sons the core beliefs and values needed to serve the Lord. Hophni and Phinehas never developed a personal relationship with God, and their actions reflected this spiritual emptiness.

1 Samuel 2:12: “The sons of Eli were worthless men; they did not know the LORD.”

Eli was 98 years old when the story in 1 Samuel took place. Once a figure of authority, Eli had become pitiful. His authority was greatly diminished, and his eyesight was fading. As a man, he was an absent father, a passive and permissive parent. But sadly, as a man of God, he had become an absent priest. He neglected his responsibility to discipline and guide his sons, allowing them to run the family business and take control of the sacrificial system of the Tabernacle. Instead of upholding its holy purpose, they perverted this responsibility for their own selfish gain.

The Corruption of Hophni and Phinehas

Eli’s sons predictably exploited their positions of power, transforming the sacred responsibilities of the priesthood into avenues for greed, self-indulgence, and debauchery. They blatantly disregarded the Law of Moses, which required sacrificial meat to be boiled, instead demanding it be roasted to satisfy their personal tastes. When worshippers objected, they resorted to force, seizing meat meant for the Lord.

1 Samuel 2:11-17 recounts their exploitation, describing how they unjustly seized offerings meant for the Lord. Their corruption extended further, as they took advantage of the women who served at the tabernacle.

To make matters worse, they were emboldened to reach new depths of debauchery and wickedness. They sexually abused the female workers who served alongside the priests and Levites. 1 Samuel 2:22: “Now Eli was very old, but he was aware of what his sons were doing to the people of Israel. He knew, for instance, that his sons were seducing the young women who assisted at the entrance of the Tabernacle.”

Eli’s Ineffectual Response

When Eli finally confronted his sons, his rebuke was too little, too late. He asked them, “Why do you keep sinning?” and warned them of the gravity of their actions.

1 Samuel 2:25: “If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede?”

Hophni and Phinehas disregarded their father’s warnings, persisting in their wicked behavior with blatant defiance. Arrogantly convinced of their own invincibility, they believed themselves untouchable, failing to consider that God Himself might intervene.

Divine Judgment

God’s patience with Eli’s household came to an end. A man of God delivered a solemn prophecy of judgment. He declared that Eli’s lineage would be severed from the priesthood, and as a sign of this divine decree, both Hophni and Phinehas would die on the same day.

1 Samuel 2:34: “And to prove that what I have said will come true, I will cause your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, to die on the same day!”

The Tragic End of Eli

This prophecy was fulfilled when the Philistines attacked Israel. During the battle, Hophni and Phinehas were killed, and the Ark of God was captured. The loss of the Ark meant more than just a military defeat; it represented God’s glory leaving Israel. Overcome with grief, Eli fell backward from his chair, broke his neck, and died.

Eli showed more concern for the loss of the Ark than for his two sons. How is this possible? Does it reflect a memory of a time earlier in Eli’s life when he was a faithful high priest? Maybe. However, the Ark of the Covenant was much more than a religious object; it represented God’s presence, glory, covenant, guidance, and power among His people. 

While the deaths of Hophni and Phinehas were tragic, they were the expected fulfillment of God’s judgment on Eli’s household because of their corruption and sin, as foretold in 1 Samuel 2:27-36 and 1 Samuel 3:11-14. In contrast, losing the Ark represented a devastating spiritual loss for Israel, signifying the departure of God’s glory and presence, which far outweighed any personal grief Eli might have experienced.

The Departure of God’s Glory

The capture of the Ark was a national tragedy, comparable to losing a nation’s most treasured symbol. However, the Ark was more than just a symbol; it was the dwelling place of God’s presence. With its loss, the visible glory of God departed from Israel. Eli lost his sons, but the nation of Israel lost God’s presence from among them.

In the aftermath, Eli’s grandson was born, and his mother, overwhelmed with grief, named him Ichabod, meaning “no glory.”

1 Samuel 4:21: “She named the child Ichabod (which means ‘Where is the glory?’), for she said, ‘Israel’s glory is gone.’”

This name reflected the nation’s intense sense of loss: the glory of God had departed because of the negligence and corruption in Eli’s household.

The Principle of Sowing and Reaping

The story of Eli and his sons demonstrates the biblical principle that actions result in consequences. Ignoring spiritual duties and indulging in sin leads to devastating outcomes.

Galatians 6:7: “Don’t be misled, you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”
Hosea 8:7: “They have planted the wind and will harvest the whirlwind.”

As Charles Stanley aptly summarized:

  • You reap what you sow,
  • More than you sow, and
  • Later than you sow.

A Sobering Lesson

The devastating collapse of Eli’s household serves as a profound cautionary tale, emphasizing the critical importance of spiritual discipline, parental responsibility, and deep respect for God. It shows that neglecting these duties can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just individuals but entire nations.

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© Dr. H 2026