Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 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 that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Sometimes people get the wrong message. I remember one of my high school teachers give a lecture on the evils of alcohol for teens. As part of the lecture, and this was in the days before animal rights, she took a worm and dropped it into a bottle of alcohol. It didn't take long for the worm to cease its wriggling. Then the teacher asked, "What have you learned?" One of my classmates, and you need to remember that we were very unsophisticated freshmen at the time, said with seriousness, "If you drink alcohol, you won't have worms." He'd gotten the wrong message.
There's a lot of folks out there who are getting the wrong message for life. They think that the message of life is to get, rather than give. They think the purpose of life is to hoard rather than share. They think the motto of life is to do unto others before others do unto you. They've got the wrong message. The true purpose, motto, and message of life is found in offering yourself for others. Neither you nor I can live our life for others all the time. Only Jesus, who gave Himself for us could be that unselfish. But we can do our best. Try it. Just once today, do something different and special for someone else. Try it and see if you don't think that giving for others is the right message.
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, only You are unselfish enough to live Your life for others all the time. Help me to be like You as I seek to give of myself to others, and let Your light and love shine through my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 17-18 2 Corinthians 6
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