Bible Thoughts

May 14, 2000

Have you ever offered an excuse to someone because you did not want to accept an invitation? Such is not unusual. The excuse may be legitimate, or--in some cases, not so. The word excuse is from a word that means "to be free of a charge"(Webster). Hence, if one does not want to go someplace or do something, they offer an excuse, that is, a way to be free of an invitation(charge).

One of those who was at the meal with Christ observed that it would be "blessed" to "eat bread in the kingdom of God"(v. 15). The Lord proceeded to speak of one who made a "great supper" and "bade many"(v. 16). Those who were invited to the prepared feast "began to make excuse"(v. 18a). In the course of refusing the invitation, they used what might be viewed by some as legitimate excuses. However, the Lord used the illustrations to show that such were not acceptable to the host and that he would find those who were willing to accept the invitation and take advantage of the feast.

The use of the excuses meant the invited ones could not and would not enjoy what was offered. Instead, those who recognized their own need for relief, "the poor and maimed and blind and lame," would be given the opportunity to feast. Such individuals would gladly receive such help because they recognized their own circumstances and realized their basic needs.

There were three types of excuses offered by those who were first invited to the feast: real property, personal possessions, and domestic relationships. One or more of these three types of excuses are used frequently by those who do not want to meet the responsibilities that God expects of mankind.

The first person who refused the invitation had "bought a field, and...must go out and see it"(Luke 14:18). To buy property sight unseen is not wise; in fact, in many cases proves to be foolish. On the other hand, the land would not go away unless there was an earthquake, sinkhole or similar disaster. Also, the land could be seen after the feast. If one does not want to do something, any old excuse works in the person's mind.

The second person refusing the invitation used his personal possessions as an excuse. Can you imagine buying a used car without driving it? This man bought the oxen and then was going to "prove them"(v. 19). Even after buying them, there would be plenty of time to work them and find out if he got his money's worth. His philosophy might have been, when you do not want to do something, grab the first excuse you can think of.(Have you ever done that?)

The third person had "married a wife"(v. 20). This man used this relationship to get out of something he did not want to do. The master did not want to disrupt the domestic tranquillity of this man and his wife. All he desired was for him to come to a feast. One's family has often been used through the years as an excuse to escape responsibility. How sad for some to use a blessing from God to ease one's conscience for not doing what God commands.

The Lord has given man the wisdom to purchase land and to build houses, as well as other structures for the benefit of mankind. To use such as an excuse for not serving God is a rejection of the grace and kindness of one's maker. We have been blessed by the Lord with the health and wealth to acquire property that helps to make mortal life enjoyable. It is unfortunate that many will sit back and take their ease, contemplating what they have acquired with little thought being given to honoring and obeying the God that made it all possible.

The ability to labor and work and acquire personal possessions is a gift from the Almighty. Citizens of our country have more earthly goods than any other nation before us. The Lord has allowed people to acquire more clothes than they can wear, more shoes than they can wear out, and more goods than they can ever use. In the accumulation of such possessions, it is easy to forget that the God that made us allows us to have the breath of life to enjoy such materialism. While it is not wrong in itself to possess material goods, we must be careful that we not put too much trust in such. Never be so intent upon acquiring possessions to the neglect of one's soul. Do not use the excuse that "I have to have such and such" and therefore do not have time for the Lord, allowing such desires to destroy the faith one must have in Jehovah.

The third illustration used by the Lord was simply stated, "I have married a wife, and therefore cannot come"(v. 20). Wives(and husbands) have been used, one would suppose, for all kinds of excuses to escape one's responsibility. It is not stated how long the fellow had been married(some may use this excuse ALL their lives).

There was no conflict with God when one has married another. In fact, each should support the mate in order that both can be strong for righteousness. As they face the rest of their lives together, the strength of each mate can be the foundation that holds the family together. The Lord would have been glad this man married, but he would not condone anyone using a marriage as an excuse to fail to serve Him.(By the way, the religion of Christ is not a family religion, but should be the religion of the family. Each person is individually responsible to God. The husband cannot stand in for his wife; the parent cannot stand in for the child, etc. Each must obey and follow the will of Christ.)

Excuses have no place when it comes to the service of God. The Lord only accepts reasons. When one fails to serve the Lord and offers some feeble excuse, it may satisfy men, but it does not satisfy God. In the passages being discussed, the master rejected all excuses. In the day of judgment, excuses won't work!