A Bill of Goods

A Series on God’s Call to Ministry

Genesis 12:1-9

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2012%3A1-9&version=NIV;NLT

[Preface: How do you know what your calling in life is? Will you know from a big bang experience? Or will it come quietly, almost imperceptible? Will you be inspired by the stories of a visiting missionary; or a book that opens your eyes to the needs of a specific people group; or from your own life experience? This series is about God’s call to ministry for your life; what it means or doesn’t mean.]

Have you ever felt like somebody sold you a bill of goods? I have. And when it happens, I’m always reminded of something my Dad used to say, “If something sounds too good to be true; it probably is”.

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

² “I will make you into a great nation,
    and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
    and you will be a blessing.
³ I will bless those who bless you,
    and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
    will be blessed through you.”                NIV

These verses in Genesis are titled, “The call of Abram”. However, it seems like the Lord could have sold Abram a “bill of goods”. Now, before you accuse me of being a heretic, think about it for a minute.

Imagine Abram making a list of pros and cons while trying to decide if this is truly God’s will for his life to uproot his family and go to Canaan.

On the con side are all the risk factors: He would have to leave his Father and all his relatives; his home; and all that was familiar to him. He was already a fairly wealthy man and risked losing all of that. Plus he had never visited Canaan and had no idea what the people were like. It was a huge unknown risk.

On the pro side are all the benefits: The Lord’s promises seemed to indicate that he would gain even more wealth, fame, land and descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky; enough to become a nation.

On the unknown future side are all the events that waited for Abram: There would be many hardships and tests that Abram would face. These included famine, conflict, decades of infertility and a test of Abram’s faith to sacrifice his only son.

The truth is, none of us knows what the future holds. So, if you believe that the Lord is calling you to do something, don’t be afraid of the risks. Don’t doubt and think that He is trying to sell you a bill of goods. But remember that the Lord is faithful. He loves you and is always with you.

That may sound too good to be true, but it’s not.