Christian Living

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As Jesus was traveling though the Galilean country side, He began to share with His Disciples how He would be delivered into the hands of those who opposed His ministry. He would be killed, but would rise again on the third day. The Disciples were confused and were hesitant to ask for clarification. What they did then was almost unimaginable; they began a debate among themselves as to who was the greatest. Their lives seemed to center around what they could get out of life instead of learning to give of their lives. When they all arrived in Capernaum, Jesus asked them what they were discussing along the way. The disciples were mute on the real content of their discussion. Jesus may have smiled at their silence and then He simply told them that real greatest comes from being a servant. (Mark 9:30-35)

If Believers today would start reading the Scripture as a handbook to understanding the role of a servant, we would walk into an area of spiritual growth we have never experienced. Think of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12) as an empowering to reach out to the needs of our fellow man. So many Christians look at the Gifts as growth hormones that elevate them to “super hero” status. They gather regularly to experience self edification by falsifying the use of these Gifts. The trouble is, by Tuesday they are struggling to overcome the littlest challenge to their spiritual walk. To reach spiritual heights, we need to learn to reach out. Let us ask God every day what He would have us do for His Kingdom. How can I help the needy, both physically and spiritually? How can I assist my spiritual brother in achieving his spiritual and physical goals?

Christian book stores are stacked with every type of self help books that deal with achieving the maximum spiritual edification. In my excursions into the financial world of Christian literature, I have yet to find any type of literature that deals with learning how to be a servant; there may be some, but they are hard to find. Where are the authors that dare to fight the riptides of popular Christian opinion and write on how to be a servant in a consumer society? All that God has given us through His Son should be enough to change the world, yet we selfishly use His blessings for self promotion. There are some Believers that believe in the modern interpretation of “sowing and reaping.” That is responding to Tele-evangelism (really Telemarketing) where they give under the pretense that their money will go to international outreach and they will, in return, receive a financial blessing. I am sure some of the solicited money will find the shores of distant countries, but my concern is what about “dumpster divers” and “cardboard mattress” sleepers that are in every city in America. What about the children in our urban areas that have little clothing or toys? What about those who cannot afford medical assistance? Instead of sending money to a Christian broker, why not drive down a street and find a need and meet it? What about Christians in our own community that are having a hard time making ends meet? We need to stop “handing off” to someone else to fulfill our calling and start “handing out” what God has so bountifully given us.

The Believers’ calling is so much more than receiving! It is answering the call to be a servant. Let us replace our mirrors with windows. Let us see beyond ourselves. Let us move beyond secondhand faith to a first hand experience of living the life of a servant! When we do that, we will understand the true principle of “sowing and reaping.”

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