Dave Ramsay tweeted today: “Don’t put too much faith in a contract. It has some uses, but it won’t magically make someone with no integrity behave.” Because of our study in Malachi, some of the men’s groups have been talking about the difference between a contract and a covenant. One difference seems to be that a contract is based on the idea that both parties have obligations but: “me fulfilling mine is contingent on you fulfilling yours and vice versa.” While a covenant may contain some sense of that, it is more of a promise that is not contingent on anything other than my own character. Read
Hebrews 6:17-18. So take note: signing a covenant is not going to magically make someone with no integrity behave any more than having a contract will!
We talk a lot about covenants here at Harvest Barrie. We have a
membership covenant and a
small group covenant. We just introduced a
Biblical Soul Care covenant to those who finished the training class. What’s with all the covenants? They are an indication of how seriously we take the commitments we make around here. They recognize that our obligations to each other are moral and rooted in our union with Christ. They are sincere commitments of our character! I recently challenged our group to write out a covenant for their marriage that reflects their real commitments. Does it read more like a contract? Have the commitments drifted from the original ones or been strengthened and added to?
On the right is one from a recent marriage enrichment course Margaret and I were on. And, just in case you need a tune-up, Family Life is holding a “
Weekend to Remember” in Niagara Falls on February 10-12.
I want to encourage you to take some time and review the various covenants we have. Resolve to carry them out with zeal! Are there any areas that you are struggling with or are not sure you agree with, or have questions about? I am glad to discuss them with you! Email me at
.