It is somewhat hard to be selfless in this day and age. We are inundated with images and words in our society telling us to look out for ourselves or to do things that benefit us. We are a naturally selfish group - humanity. It is a constant struggle we deal with.
Me - I struggle with it. I am very protective of my time and my resources. I place my faith, at times, in what I have and work hard to maintain that security. I know when it comes to helping others out, it usually has to happen on my time and if I can afford it. And when it does, I give myself a pat on the back for being helpful.
But is it to my credit to pick and choose when I am helpful? I am not saying you have to help every single time at the expense of your own financial, emotional, and spiritual health. But am I really being helpful if I am not willing at times to step out of my comfort zone.
As I said before, I struggle with the issue. I like planning out my time and budgeting my resources. I am not a fan of changing things on the fly nor stepping out and risking. There's a risk to helping out others. It takes time and could impact you financially or emotionally. Life is messy. Do we want to get involved in other people's messes?
Hebrews 13:16 says "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased"
We are called to help others and give of ourselves for the welfare of others. That might mean taking time out of your busy day. It might mean to give of your talents for the sake of others. For others, it might be to help financially. It requires us to risk, to be willing to put ourselves out there and possibly not be appreciated.
Our inherent sinful nature wants us to be selfish. Deciding what's in it for us before we decide to help or not. Worrying about what it will do to us (financially or otherwise). Maybe, we are just scared to risk. All of this happens to us at one time or another.
One time, I was asked to help out some friends financially with their business. It was a struggle for me to decide what to do. Eventually, I took out 25% of what I had in my savings and loaned the money to help out. I even said to other friends at the time that I would never see it back. That ended up being true. I never got my money back and they eventually went out of business. But, you know what? I don't regret the decision. I prayed about it and felt it was the right thing to do. My life didn't end nor did I go broke.
That story isn't for everyone. You can look at it and say I made a mistake. Maybe, but I cant spend the rest of my life angry or upset about it. I gave of what God had given me to others and thats the end of the story.
Jesus says in John 15: 12-13 "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." Jesus is our example to follow in this. He spoke often on the theme of servanthood as well as showing it. The prime example was when he washed the disciples' feet. He gave his life for our sins, even for those opposed to him. This kind of lifestyle flies in the face of the norms of the world.
For some people it comes easy and for others it can be a chore. As Christians, we are all called to a life of servanthood. It can be as simple as setting up chairs at a food pantry or giving someone a ride to work. The gestures don't have to be grand (a failing point for me) to be of great consequence to another. How do we show the love of God if it not in serving and helping others?
1 John 3: 17-18 says "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth"
This isn't saying doing good deeds will get us better with God. What it does say, if you love God it will be seen by your words and actions. Lots of people give lip service, but their actions speak another thing. When you help others, its not just a blessing to the people you help, but you also will be blessed.
I know I need to be more selfless in my time and possessions. When I have gone out of my way to help others, I've gotten to know people and learn. Sometimes, it has resulted in getting home late, not getting my stuff done, or hit me in the pocketbook. I tried not to do these things for my own acclaim or expect repayment. That should not be our goal in doing good for others. We should not expect glory, repayment, or even appreciation. It's not about us. If we go in with that attitude we will never succeed and truly understand God's heart.
The saying goes you can't take it with you. Most people never say in their final moments they wished they amassed more. Usually, it is regrets of not spending time and being with others more. How much joy will our time and possessions bring us if we can't take them with us to heaven? The memories of blessing others will be in our hearts forever. Trust me, God sees that too.
Me - I struggle with it. I am very protective of my time and my resources. I place my faith, at times, in what I have and work hard to maintain that security. I know when it comes to helping others out, it usually has to happen on my time and if I can afford it. And when it does, I give myself a pat on the back for being helpful.
But is it to my credit to pick and choose when I am helpful? I am not saying you have to help every single time at the expense of your own financial, emotional, and spiritual health. But am I really being helpful if I am not willing at times to step out of my comfort zone.
As I said before, I struggle with the issue. I like planning out my time and budgeting my resources. I am not a fan of changing things on the fly nor stepping out and risking. There's a risk to helping out others. It takes time and could impact you financially or emotionally. Life is messy. Do we want to get involved in other people's messes?
Hebrews 13:16 says "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased"
We are called to help others and give of ourselves for the welfare of others. That might mean taking time out of your busy day. It might mean to give of your talents for the sake of others. For others, it might be to help financially. It requires us to risk, to be willing to put ourselves out there and possibly not be appreciated.
Our inherent sinful nature wants us to be selfish. Deciding what's in it for us before we decide to help or not. Worrying about what it will do to us (financially or otherwise). Maybe, we are just scared to risk. All of this happens to us at one time or another.
One time, I was asked to help out some friends financially with their business. It was a struggle for me to decide what to do. Eventually, I took out 25% of what I had in my savings and loaned the money to help out. I even said to other friends at the time that I would never see it back. That ended up being true. I never got my money back and they eventually went out of business. But, you know what? I don't regret the decision. I prayed about it and felt it was the right thing to do. My life didn't end nor did I go broke.
That story isn't for everyone. You can look at it and say I made a mistake. Maybe, but I cant spend the rest of my life angry or upset about it. I gave of what God had given me to others and thats the end of the story.
Jesus says in John 15: 12-13 "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." Jesus is our example to follow in this. He spoke often on the theme of servanthood as well as showing it. The prime example was when he washed the disciples' feet. He gave his life for our sins, even for those opposed to him. This kind of lifestyle flies in the face of the norms of the world.
For some people it comes easy and for others it can be a chore. As Christians, we are all called to a life of servanthood. It can be as simple as setting up chairs at a food pantry or giving someone a ride to work. The gestures don't have to be grand (a failing point for me) to be of great consequence to another. How do we show the love of God if it not in serving and helping others?
1 John 3: 17-18 says "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth"
This isn't saying doing good deeds will get us better with God. What it does say, if you love God it will be seen by your words and actions. Lots of people give lip service, but their actions speak another thing. When you help others, its not just a blessing to the people you help, but you also will be blessed.
I know I need to be more selfless in my time and possessions. When I have gone out of my way to help others, I've gotten to know people and learn. Sometimes, it has resulted in getting home late, not getting my stuff done, or hit me in the pocketbook. I tried not to do these things for my own acclaim or expect repayment. That should not be our goal in doing good for others. We should not expect glory, repayment, or even appreciation. It's not about us. If we go in with that attitude we will never succeed and truly understand God's heart.
The saying goes you can't take it with you. Most people never say in their final moments they wished they amassed more. Usually, it is regrets of not spending time and being with others more. How much joy will our time and possessions bring us if we can't take them with us to heaven? The memories of blessing others will be in our hearts forever. Trust me, God sees that too.
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