It’s been brought to my attention that some of what I shared in this article was rattling the chains of religious legalism that we’ve been set free from by God’s amazing grace. So, before reading this article, please know that it is not intended to do that. I am sharing my thoughts as they pertains to me. If you relate to my experience, I believe you will appreciate my intention in sharing what’s here. Perhaps, you’ll consider whatever challenges come with them, as I have.
by Steven Gledhill for FREEdom from MEdom Project
Who would you say is happier, the giver or the taker?
There are those who find pleasure in taking what they can from available resources, and there are those who take pleasure in giving from their resources. I’m not talking about people who give expecting reciprocation. And, I’m not talking about people-pleasers who give because of some “need” they have to make other people happy, as though it’s their responsibility. I’m talking about people that give because they genuinely enjoy bringing joy to others in need for all the right reasons. Because, it is simply the right and best thing to do.
To those who have, more is given. To those who have not, the more they will lose. That’s scripture. What does it mean? And, what is the best, most sensible strategy for investing into a lifestyle that is most satisfying?
Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 10:21-21 (ESV)
Prior to the response of Jesus, whom the young man of wealth and authority appears to have had much respect, being that he knelt before Jesus, asked him if the way he lived his life was worthy of eternal life. Jesus laid out some of what was written as necessary to please God. The young man was pleased with himself, and responded, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, I assume looking fondly at the man, responded with something to the extent of, “You’re a decent man, but there is one more thing to consider.” Jesus challenged the man to give… more.
It’s possible that this entrepreneur was also a bit of a philanthropist. Maybe, he was already giving from his prosperity to those in need. Maybe, he was helping his friends in need. Maybe, he gave to charities. There are billionaires today giving away millions and in some cases significantly more than that.
Jesus challenged this man to consider the far greater treasure, beyond the good that he possessed in his earthly reward and circumstance. The one thing the man lacked? To be willing to lay it all down; to let it all go, recognizing the higher calling. Does what I give count, if I don’t give it all? I would say so. But that’s me.
The Scripture tells us that the rich young man of high esteem in the sight of people, feeling pretty good about himself, was discouraged that maybe God knew him better than anyone else did; perhaps, even better than he knew himself. The man was disappointed. “Come on, God doesn’t really expect me to give it all away, does he?” That’s at least a tad extreme, wouldn’t you say? After all, we live in the day of grace. I would say that it is extreme, even legalistic to suggest that we’re called to give a lot more. But that’s me. Jesus said something different than anything I would say. Take a look at what his brother James wrote:
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 (NKJV)
I hate it, when I am faced with what feels like a challenge to do good, whatever the doing entails, and this little nugget from the Bible pops into my head. Sometimes, the doing of good comes at the expense of what is comfortable. It’s going to cost me a little something. Then, another subtle voice comes to my thoughts and asks me, “What did it cost Jesus to pay for the good I don’t do?”
Some will read this article, and not feel good about it. I don’t feel good about it. I don’t consider myself to be a person of wealth; all that prosperous. But, there are homeless people, living on the street within a few miles from my home, who would say otherwise.
I know people whose giving nature leads them into increased blessing and joy. And, I know people whose taking nature leads them into increased disappointment, resentment (harboring anger), and the struggle of never having arrived at the place they want to be in their lives. I know Christians who fall into either group.
If I am entirely honest, I do sometimes find myself envying the success of others. Worse than that, perhaps it’s even jealousy. On occasion I find myself suspicious of someone’s motives even though I don’t personally know the person at all. Entirely honest? I might even covet their “success.” I am not comfortable writing this out loud. To covet is sin. Envy is sin. Jealousy is sin. Ouch!
Whose success do I wish for myself? What kind of success am I referring to?
It’s people who are blessed with a spirit of contentment, regardless of their success. Yes, there are those whose contentment may or may not include financial success and material wealth. The stuff some have is nice, but it’s not my issue. Most of those I admire like that don’t have much stuff; don’t have much money. It’s not their issue. Their happiness is all tied into glorifying God in what they are doing to serve their him. My issue is that they have absolutely no pride about it, not at all arrogant in how God has used and then blessed them. It’s that they don’t seem to know how successful they are; how blessed they are. They know, but genuinely handle themselves as though they don’t know. It doesn’t seem to matter to them. All that matters, truly, is that they are walking in stride with their Savior and Lord, whom they serve gladly with all of their hearts. Ugh!
Wait a minute! What’s wrong with me?
No, really. What’s wrong with me?
I serve God. I love God. I aim to please God. But, do I treat my relationship with Christ as though I am the servant of the Master? Do I serve and aim to please God as though it’s my sole purpose in life? Do I love God enough? Do I fear God enough? Does my life as an expression of worship truly honor God? Am I motivated by conviction and purpose to serve God?
Or, do I relate to Jesus as my brother? My bro? My friend? My buddy?
Those whose service I admire are serving their king. It’s not some of what they’re about; or even mostly what they’re about. It’s what they are all about. The children grow up modeling parents that aim to please God with all that they do. They are people of prayer. They may be religious about how they behave in how they serve, but it’s not a religious obligation or duty. It is from a humble heart of gratitude that they behave as an act of worship. They are servants of their king. Surrendered to do his will because it’s become their nature to do so. They also realize that even when what they do may leave them in the line if fire from adversaries they fear God in the sense that they need not fear anything or anyone else subject to the sovereignty of whom they serve. Do I fear God like that?
Do I fear God the Father the way I revered my dad as a young boy, or feared my dad when I got caught or knew I was out of line? Do I have a healthy fear of my Father in heaven as sovereign and superior to any other power or ruler who may attempt to rise against me? Do I fear the humbling correction from my Master and King when I sin? Or do I rely on being covered by grace when I sin… willingly (willfully) sin?
Note: I wasn’t sure which word to use so I looked up the difference between willingly and willfully. The difference is as follows, according to what I found on The Church of the Eternal God website: “As adverbs the difference between willingly and willfully is that willingly is of one’s own free will; freely and spontaneously while willfully is in a willful manner. It often means ‘purposely disobeying; purposely being contrary; purposely doing something wrong’.”
Blogging is an easy lane for me to serve the King. Listening to people and then counseling them carries that sense of conviction and purpose to help people to meet their need. But all of the wisdom I transfer to them was gifted to me by the Gift Giver. Plus, it’s my job. While I’m not motivated by my wages to counsel patients at the hospital, they are brought to me upon their admission. I’m not really sacrificing anything of myself. While the work is challenging, it doesn’t feel like work, like a farmer or gardener carefully sowing seed into fertile soil, committed to reaping a harvest.
“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices
or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better… 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)
What is it to obey God… to honor God and worship God through obedience?
I suppose there is something to be said of one’s conviction; one’s soul pierced by the Holy Spirit of God to turn away from something and toward something else, motivated by one’s conviction toward righteousness in relationship with Christ. Scripture (Hosea 6:6) tells us that God desires that we be merciful to others as God is merciful to us. God desires that we be undivided in our loyalty, serving him and no other, or anything else that can distract us from holiness.
That’s all good. The sacrifice mentioned above by Samuel has to do with religious sacrifice. It’s no good to be religious to please God. Religion isn’t a bad thing in and of itself, but when religion is one’s expression of worship, rather than one’s life being the expression of his or her worship, religion is no more than an idol. However, true obedience in relationship with God is all about sacrifice; becoming less, and doing less to feed my interests for the sake of doing more to help someone in need so that they can become more, and experience something better.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ Matthew 25:34-40 (NLT)
I’ve been called to holiness; set apart to live my life in line with the will of God. What is the will of God?
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
The living and holy sacrifice referred to in this passage is to demonstrate mercy and love by helping those who struggle to help themselves. The Greek word for love in the Bible is ‘agape’, which is also translated, ‘charity’. Charity can be demonstrated through financial giving, especially when such giving requires sacrifice, meaning it’s going to hurt some to give. For most of us though, charity is an action that requires time and energy—effort that is above and beyond, at least for me, what I do professionally. To commit my body as a living and holy sacrifice, means I am doing something to advance the purpose of the Gospel, motivated by love; more specifically, compassion even if it hurts a bit because it cost me something.
While obedience is not about religious sacrifice, it is all about being set apart to live a life that is acceptable to God; which involves the kind of living and holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. For me, it probably means going beyond the work I get paid to do; or even writing these blogs that might help someone along the way.
In a way, I kinda feel like a fraud in the way it doesn’t really cost me anything to do what I do to serve. This isn’t me just being self-deprecating to make a point. I am feeling what I’m writing. In a way, I kinda can’t stand it when someone is so submitted and surrendered in their relationship with Jesus that they never seem to tire of the “work” of serving him from a place of obedience and sacrifice. These are people that are disciplined, typically doing the right things for the right reasons, consistently motivated by love with a heart of humility and gratitude.
“Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28 (NKJV)
There are folks, who in jest, will identify them as “spiritual” as something they may even aspire to, but feel could never live up to such standards. Still others, perhaps more often in the secular realm will misidentify these spiritual giants as religious zealot types; Bible thumpers.
There is scripture that identifies these “spiritual” folks, and how they seem to be less challenged overcoming what I (only speaking for myself) tend to struggle with. I get it. I recognize the need of people in places everywhere who need someone to minister to them; to help them do for themselves what they cannot on their own do for themselves.
I say on my bio page and my Twitter page that, “While I cannot on my own make the world a better place, I can find my place in the world and make it better.” I didn’t come up with that, I stole the saying from a pastor-friend of mine (the founder of New Life for Haiti); who by the way is one of those “spiritual people” aiming to please God with his service from a grateful, gracious heart seemingly every second of every day. When I told him I was using the saying, he genuinely acted as though he heard it for the first time. He wouldn’t take credit for it. I heard him say it at least a dozen times.
Those whose contented souls I tend to envy, they care about the need. I mean really care. They have responded to a calling to reach out and meet the need they’ve been called to confront. They live this out with a deep and always growing sense of conviction and purpose. The Apostle Paul wrote about the problem, and the solution to the problem. Check it out.
The problem:
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:21-25 (NLT)
The solution:
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (NKJV)
The resulting outcome:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:4-8 (NKJV)
11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4: 11-13 (NLT)
So that’s how the people I envy get to the place of seemingly overcoming the challenge of a surrendered, submitted, committed, disciplined life, serving their master from the core of their being, and…
Experiencing the wealth of blessing—the overflow of joy—that comes with it. I want that. At least I say I want that. But I don’t seem to be willing to surrender to the disciplined “Christian life.” Lots of folks identify me (Me!) as the religious, spiritual person. They often look to me for spiritual guidance and, perhaps, spiritual wisdom. Since you’re reading this, maybe you look to me to help you with that as well.
As a counselor, I often have the privilege of sharing from my knowledge and experience who God is to me, and what a relationship with Jesus can do for them. I often get to share this message with colleagues. It’s pretty cool. What they (and you for that matter) don’t see, is that I am especially lazy in my approach and routines as to how I live the so-called “Christian life.”
What I am about to share with you next comes from a revelation of sorts as it pertains to a parable that Jesus told to a whole bunch of people. It’s all about investment. The mystery has been revealed to those willing to listen and understand. It’s the difference between my experience in the “Christian life” and that of those I tend to envy and covet and how they choose to live the Christian life. They invest their all into the life. The return on their investment is incredible blessing and joy that they will tell you is immeasurable and uncontainable; streaming rivers of living water flowing through and from those willing to sow their seed into the fertile soil.
(I am writing this while on vacation with my family. I am less than a hundred yards from the ocean while looking out and watching the waves roll in. My pastor-friend isn’t far from the ocean a few times a year in Haiti, serving impoverished people in desperate need of help there.)
3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. 6 But the plants soon wilted under the hot sun, and since they didn’t have deep roots, they died. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted! 9 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” Matthew 13:1-9 (NLT)
I often preach the following as the most common-sense law for lifestyle, behavioral choices. Everything I do (and I do mean, everything), and everything I say, has one of three outcomes:
1) It gets me what I want and value most for my life.
2) It draws me closer to what I want and value most for my life. Or,
3) It drags me farther away from what I want and value most for my life.
So what is that I want most for life, and how does each and every behavioral choice I make support my willingness to invest in what I say I want and value most?
Most of the Bible commentaries suggest that the ‘seed’ in this parable represents the Gospel pertaining to the person of Jesus Christ. You might say that Jesus in this parable is asking all those listening to him speak, “What are you going to do with me?”
Of course at that time, they didn’t necessarily understand the ramifications of who Jesus is, and what it would mean to have a spiritual relationship with the sovereign creator and ruler of everything in existence through him. They didn’t realize that relationship with the risen King is everything. How could they know? They couldn’t understand that Jesus needed to die to pardon them from the debt of sin. That’s the Gospel: Jesus died to pay the price for our sin, but then the grave couldn’t hold him. Jesus would be resurrected from death into life; new life. The Gospel—the incredibly good news—is that Jesus saved us from an eternity condemned in our sin, to have new life eternally in fellowship with God through him, our Savior and redeemer. So why did Jesus share this parable with them? Was it intended for them? I suppose so, considering he said to them.
What does this parable mean for us… for you and for me?
After all, Jesus said, “Anyone with ears to hear, let them listen and understand.” One thing is for certain. This message is meant for us, today; right now. Jesus is asking you and me, “What are you going to do with what you now know you have in relationship with me?”
Jesus has supplied the strategy for how to apply what we have in relationship with Christ into how we live each day of our lives. How will we invest what we have in relationship with Christ into how we live, or more specifically, how we behave? Who do we live for? Do we live to serve and please God, or do we live to serve and please ourselves?
The Gospel of what we are and have in relationship with Jesus is the seed in the parable, and the sower is you and I. What will we do with what we have in Jesus? Where and how will we plant the gift of this new life that is ours in relationship with Jesus? The seed was put in the palm of your hand at the moment that Jesus graciously forgave you of sin and blessed you with the gift of—the opportunity to experience—new life.
The farmer in the parable may have been a bit reckless in how he planted the seed. The parable tells us that as the farmer scattered seed, only a portion of it actually landed in fertile soil where it could take root and grow into a harvest. Apparently, a bunch of the soil fell on the hard dirt pathway, where it would just sit there and be food for the birds. Some of the seed landed on the soil that wasn’t intended for seed to be planted since it was only a thin layer of soil on top of rocky ground, making it impossible for seed to grow roots beyond the thin layer, making it worthless. And still more seed blew into the thorny weeds where it was choked out by the roots of the weeds, making it impossible to take root.
Only the seed planted into fertile cared-for soil can take root, become deeply rooted into new life that is fruitful, productive. Once the seed has been carefully sown into fertile soil, it develops into an essential living plant that bears quality fruit. The harvest thrives into something so substantial that it benefits all who have been given access to its fruit.
Now that I have stated the obvious, let’s dig a little deeper.
10 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?”
11 He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; 15 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; 17 for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:10-23 (NKJV)
Words are huge when you have the understanding to lay hold of the truth in them. I am not now going to explain what you just read from Scripture. Jesus laid it out for all to understand. But like I stated previously, his words (the Word of God) may be more for us to take in more than they were for his audience that particular day, some two thousand years ago.
The mystery has been revealed since then in what it means to be led by the living presence of God by way of his Spirit. What we still may not understand is how it applies to how we invest our time, energy, and effort. What does it truly mean to plant the seed of what we understand into fertile ground? What does it really mean to be fruitful? What it means for you and what it means for me, I suppose, depends on what you and I want and value most. Some of us are more about giving and some are more about taking.
Which of us are most content?
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him… Philippians 2:3-9 (NKJV)
Those who are more about giving are most content. The people I tend to envy (that I perceive to be most blessed) are blessed because they most identify with the mystery of the harvest that’s been explained, not only to them, but to all of us. Those who are most blessed have invested most into the giving of their lives. They are other-oriented, as Jesus was.
Jesus left his nature as God, to completely forsake his position of divine authority to humbly lower himself to our level so that he could relate to us, serve us, and ultimately die on a cross because it was necessary for our survival. But, not only would we survive because of the generous, sacrificial giving of Jesus, but we would come to thrive and actually become the harvest of the seed that was planted when Jesus allowed his body to be laid in a grave, and his soul into the belly of the earth. It is sacrifice and giving that is the fertile soil for planting seed.
It is investing your life into whatever the need is that reaps the harvest. Jesus was exalted because he gave. Jesus was God when he did that. We are not required or asked to give up the kind of position that Jesus was required to give up. We’re not required or asked to literally die (though many have died for the sake of the harvest) in the process of sowing seed the way Jesus did.
Those whom are most blessed and most content appear to be those applying most the proven principle of sowing and reaping. The more they give, the more they receive. Jesus said it’s better to give than receive. Better for whom? It’s better to give in the light of the parable of the sower. Those who give are hopeful in anticipation of how those they have given to are better for it. They find their joy in the joy their giving has generated.
In the providence of their giving they have been exalted. Not in the way that Jesus was exalted to the right hand of the Father, but into the generous favor of the King, Jesus Christ. In one form or another, their giving is reciprocated, and the givers are blessed into joy overflowing.
The expression, “You’re going to reap what you sow”, tends to be used most often in a negative context. It’s usually related to rebellious behavior reaping a consequence related to adversity and pain. But reaping what you sow is meant to be a positive message. Humbly investing into the lives of others with a servant’s heart evokes great reward leading to great joy.
So, what’s my problem?
I give. But, do I sacrifice anything in my giving? Or, do I give typically when it’s easy? Not necessarily in the way a servant gives. Do I give from a position of strength, or do I, as Jesus did, allow myself to sacrifice until I am giving from a position of weakness, relying on God’s strength to replenish and restore me into a position of strength again, leading to immeasurable blessing and overwhelming joy for all touched through the generosity of God’s servant?
There lies the rub.
Am I, in all honesty, truly willing to invest my life into the fertile soil that is, in fact, sacrificial giving—the best investment into the most of the authentic Christian life? What am I willing to live without, or with less of, so that someone else has more than they did, and can live better than they did? Am I really someone who finds gratification and satisfaction in contributing to the opportunity of others so that their joy increases?
Even John the Baptist said that he needed to become less so that someone else could become more. Why isn’t that more important to me?
It’s not about promoting guilt for someone to have to give more. I am either motivated to give from a place of sacrifice, or I’m not. But the principle still stands. The law of sowing and reaping is a real thing. To not understand it, or to have heard it and ignored it, can be costly.
To continue to invest in something that leads to high returns and consistent gain is wise. The listen to these words and not understand them can prove costly. To obey God is to be about giving. To invest into a giving lifestyle is sowing the seed of this Gospel into fertile soil, producing a harvest. To invest into taking is a losing venture. Taking is a contradiction to living the obedient “Christian life.” To continue to investment in a thing that leads to loss, whether gradual or all at once, is a lost cause, and can lead to total collapse.
Every advantage that I had gained I considered lost for Christ’s sake. Yes, and I look upon everything as loss compared with the overwhelming gain of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord. For his sake I did in actual fact suffer the loss of everything, but I considered it useless rubbish compared with being able to win Christ. For now my place is in him. Philippians 3:7-9 (PHILLIPS)
How does what I do, and how I invest my life draw me closer to what I want and value most? How is what I say I want and value most reflected in what I do and say?
I ask that you ask yourself the same question.
12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy. Philippians 2:12-18 (NLT)
