sup all,
im fairly sure that this has happened to everyone at least once this week already - where we give our all to love or serve someone and instead of being rewarded with a thank you or gratitude, we unjustly received apathy or even disdain/rebuke in return for our efforts (if u're a parent, this probably occur several times a day).
when we love or serve its so easy to feel like we are owed a certain treatment in return, isn't it? we demand, "how DARE they do this to me, after all i've done for them?!" should we be entitled to gratitude when we serve others? of course! but how we react when this is denied marks us as children of God or of the world. for us to say that we're the better friend, the more generous coworker, the more sacrificing spouse or to demand of others those few denariis owed to us is to ignore our ten thousand talent debt that is cancelled daily because of grace (matthew 18:21-35). we rise in anger at every indignation against us, yet how often do we burn with the same anger at our own sins or short comings?
Paul laid down his rights as an apostle for hte sake of hte gospel - and stoically accepted the corinthian's lack of financial support. I believe he is able to do this because the love and service he provided was for hte sake of the kingdom. he trusted that his reward, his worth, his affirmation, and his needs will be met by a heavenly source so there is no need for an earthly one. I hate how i can get so hurt and angry sometimes when i dont get a simple thank you or invited to an event by a person i've shown kindness to. How i would crave earthly attention and rewards for my deeds. if we knew our Father sees it all and is pleased with us, shouldn't that be enough?
encouragement for the week: dont hurt or burn yourself out and dont be taken advantage of, but in day to day matters be peace makers as you show willingness to surrender your rights and strive to lift up your brothers and sisters as Christ has done for us.
Have a happy wednesday!
Edward
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." - Philippians 2:3-4
"If we have sown spiritual seeds among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?... But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 9:11-12
"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so...you will abound in every good work... Now he who supplies seed to the sower...will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." - 2 Corinthians 9:7-11
dancing baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSJ41xcUhuw&feature=related
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