1. Psalm 39:1-13
The Last Straw

2. The Last Straw Luke 12:13-15 – Divide the Inheritance
Jesus was not the local judge, whose job was to settle such disputes
Pointed out problem was with the man’s GREED!

3. Tend To Focus on Wrong Problems
See current and neglect long range
Luke 12:16-21 “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you”
Proverbs 24:30,31 “the field of the lazy man”
Ecclesiastes 10:18 “because of laziness”

4. Earthly, Worldly Problems Blind us to Spiritual Problems
Luke 12:22-33 “O you of little faith” “seek the kingdom of God”
Matthew 14:28-33 “But when he saw the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink” “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

5. Our Own Problems & Sins Blind Us to True Problems of Brethren
Psalm 39:1,2 – David saw wicked but decided not to say anything to avoid sin
Psalm 39:3-6 – We pursue wrong things
Psalm 39:7-10 – Could not complain about bad done to him

6. Our Own Problems & Sins Blind Us to True Problems of Brethren
Psalm 39:11 - God shows us what is unimportant
Psalm 39:12,13 – David learned his lesson
Matthew 7:3,4 – We will make mistakes in judgment
Job 4:7-9 – Error in judgment of Job’s friends

7. Our Own Problems & Sins Blind Us to True Problems of Brethren
Job 23: Job thought he was unjustly punished
Job 32: Elihu corrects mistakes
Job 40: Job unable to answer God’s questions
Job 42: Job sees God’s purpose is God’s alone

8. Our Own Problems & Sins Blind Us to True Problems of Brethren
Misery of Job not punishment, but chance to prove his faith
Job focused on the immediate problem & did not see the long range benefit
Hebrews 12:9-13 – “Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?”

9. We are to make Righteous Judgments
Matthew 7:1,2 “Judge not…”
Many judgments all the time
Few have hit on the actual problem
Accusations based on incorrect information
Have you talked to the people – both sides?
Are you only seeing “the last straw?”
Jesus said: “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” John 7:24

10. Sons of God Supposed to be Peacemakers
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers”
Where is the increased peace?
H0w are the problems solved rather than being stirred up and perpetuated?
James 3:17,18 “sown in peace”
Problems not solved by ignoring them
Psalm 39 – makes the situation worse
Romans 14:19 “pursue the things which make for peace”

11. Is the course you are pursuing going to make your brother of sister a better Christian or is it going to cause them to despair?