The Show-Me State

Every state in the US has nicknames for something it's known for. Some are self-explanatory, easy for the regular Jo Blow to understand where they came from. Take Minnesota, for example. With its many lakes, Minnesota comes by its moniker of the Land of 10,00 Lakes honestly. Could Texas, with its singular flag representing its history of striving for independence, be anything other than the Lone Star State? And Hawaii, known for all things Hawaiian is, of course, the Aloha State. But other nicknames leave you scratching your head, making you ask, "Where did that come from?" Case in point: Missouri, the "Show Me" state. Huh?

If you look up why Missouri is called the "Show Me" state, you get different versions of the origin of the name. But they all boil down to this. The people of Missouri are known for wanting facts proven. While there are times when blind faith is an asset, the wise man knows that there are times when demanding verification is a good thing.

Take the Bereans in Acts chapter 17. The Word says they were more noble than those in Thessalonica because they searched the Scriptures daily to make sure that what they heard was scriptural. While believing in Jesus is an act of faith—we can't see Him, we can't touch Him—our daily walk down the Christian path requires a little bit more elbow grease in the belief department. The wise Christian, like those in Berea, look stuff up in the Word to make sure it's bona fide, and not some "off" theology.

Let's face it. Today there are a lot of "cutting edge" teachings floating around. While some are scripturally sound, others not so much. It seems that more than one Tom, Dick, and Harry minister is out to make a name for himself, to make it "big." I'm not here to bash any certain minister or teacher, but Jesus Himself warned about false teachers in the last days, (Matthew 24:24). Paul wrote that Satan would stoop so low as to disguise himself as an angel of light. In today's terminology, that might mean that he presents himself not only as harmless, but as something to yearn for, something new, something "cutting edge" (2 Corinthians 11:14).

There's just something in the human psyche that craves not only adventure, but something new, something that no one else has, something unconventional. Youth have a propensity for things that are above the status quo. When a young lady, one of the organizers, was asked about a demonstration in Memphis, she started ranting, "Historically, it's the young people who have started every revolution!" No mention of the objective of the demonstration, her words seemed to point to a desire just to upset the apple cart, whether there was a valid reason to do so or not. She was caught up in the excitement of doing something others hadn't done in her town before. Is excitement a good reason to follow a teaching?

When Dennis and I were looking for a home church in south Texas, we visited one that spoke to our hearts. The very first time we went, the pastor, as he ministered, said, "If you're looking for a big, exciting production, this church might not be for you. Early on, the Lord said to me, 'I have not called you to make a kingdom for yourself.'" I wept through the whole service. When do you see or hear ministers say or live by such a precept? The going belief seems to be the bigger the name, the better. The more money flowing into the coffers, the better.

Yes, it takes money to buy gas to go preach the gospel. Yes, it costs money to print a magazine. Yes, it takes money to support your family while you preach. It was God Himself who said, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn" (Deuteronomy 25:4, 1 Co. 9:9; 1 Timothy 5:18). The minister should have enough to live on as he ministers. But there is a difference between living and living to make merchandise of the gospel.

I was actually told by a couple how great a missionary was because of how big his house was. They left me speechless. Having a lot of money is godliness? I guess they never read 1 Timothy 6:5 which, when talking about men who do not teach the wholesome truth of God, says "supposing that gain is godliness." I am not condemning financial blessings from God, but I don't think they should be pursued above the Giver of those blessings or construed as approbation of one's lifestyle.

God forbid that we get caught up in tangent rabbit trails that take our eyes off of worshipping and knowing Jesus. We don't want to get stuck in a rut, drinking milk when it's time we eat meat, the weightier precepts in God's Word (1 Co. 3:2). And the only way to do that is to verify, verify, verify. If it's not according to the precepts set forth in God's Word, sayonara!

All I can say is: Missouri has a great thing going. Good job, Show Me state!