Skip to main content

The Same Mindset

           In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8)

This morning on one of my social media platforms, someone asked whether I would give supplies to someone coming to the door in a disaster, assuming that I had some supplies. I answered that it would depend on the nature of the crisis, the supplies in question, and (probably) the attitude of the person at the door. It’s a question that bothered me before it was asked, because part of my reason for trying to become more resourceful is so that I can provide for and otherwise help others in an emergency. But, one of the basics of emergency response training is that you don’t endanger yourself to help someone else. It’s as the flight attendant mimes at the beginning of each flight: you put your own mask on before you try to help your children (or anyone else) put on theirs.

Today’s passage suggests (at least suggests) that we should be willing to give to others. Stories from the Old Testament come to mind of women who were down to their last meal. In their willingness to share, God provide for them. Stories of George Mueller’s orphanage come to mind, too, of a man sitting down for a meal with a large group of orphans, and without food to put on the table. God provided for them. What this means is that our sharing may be part of the miracle God is doing for someone else, and not sharing may hamper a miracle God would do for us if we were willing to trust Him.

It’s not easy. It’s down-right scary. It also requires wisdom. Had there been another way for

 us to be saved, I’ve no doubt Jesus would have taken it. The goal is to help those who are truly in need, no to wear “Exploit me” on our chests.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The List

              Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,   through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;   perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:1-5)           Think about it. We have been justified. At least, we could be justified if we stopped insisting that our justification be based on our merits. We have peace with God, or could have peace if we stopped throwing temper tantrums. We have gained access into grace i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Listen!

  While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5)            Do you like roller coasters? I don't. You spend forever climbing a hill. You get to the top and have half a second, then you race down to a low point. Sometimes the racing down involves tying your insides into knots. At the bottom, you either have to be dragged up another hill or you get off the ride. Peter's life was a roller coaster from the time he met Jesus. There would be miracles, and then Jesus would teach things that didn't always make sense, and then they'd go out and perform miracles, and return to be taught. Peter was praised for giving the right answer to "Who do you say that I am?" Jesus said that said answer came from God. Peter was at the top of the hill.            ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Prayer Lists

                 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (I Peter 2:2-3)   In connection with what I wrote yesterday about the possibility that I’m wrong, I’m feeling the need to go back to basics - craving spiritual milk because somehow, I missed something. It’s a little embarrassing, craving milk like a newborn, but the truth probably is that we are newborns many times in many ways in our lives. From God’s perspective, we may never be anything more than newborns, forever needing that milk. On the other hand, being a newborn can also be exciting because so much is new. My mind is playing pinball - ricocheting from one idea to the next and through six more before it happens to hit the third again. The main topic is prayer. I have at least seven organizing structures all somewhat influenced by the movie War Room , which I’v...
Post a Comment
Read more