jesus_is_lord Home Page: Archive: Message #17 Date: Nov 16 1998 04:42:22 EST From: jesus_is_lord Subject: Investing Dear Christian Friends: Jesus said something that is vital, and required, for the Christian life-- John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Jesus said that the second greatest commandment is to LOVE your neighbor as yourself. Paul said to abound in LOVE. On a practical level, how do we fulfill this commandment? Some years ago, as I was driving to work I was listening to Dr. Cook. (Aside: He was gone home to the Lord even at that time but his broadcasts continue to air) On this particular show, he talked about investing in the lives of people. He basically said that we should look for opportunities build other people up. This does not come easy for most because our flesh is exceeding self-centered and prideful--notice the "I"s and "my"s here-- "What does this church have to offer ME?" "Do people know my educational background?" "The house I live in?" "My accomplishments?" "My intelligence?" "Where I work?" "My [supposed] spirituality?" "My this and my dat-dat-dat....?" Our flesh wants to brag and boast like we are some big thing when we ain't. Our flesh wants to receive compliments but don't think about givin' none. Have you ever been around a boaster? Do they make you feel good about yourself? Does their boasting endear them to you or do you find yourself trying to compete with them for who has the best this and that? On the other hand, have you ever met a real meek, humble person that made you feel like a million bucks? They listen intently and respond honestly and with good communication. You feel comfortable to tell them things knowing that your confidence won't be blabbed all over church. These Christans are few and far between. This ought not to be, but such is the case. Why don't each one of us determine to be such a person? Throwing down self on the ground, abasing ourselves, and lifting others up. Didn't Paul say in Philippians 2:3-- "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in LOWLINESS of mind LET EACH ESTEEM OTHER BETTER THAN THEMSELVES. Let us cultivate in ourselves the ability to listen to people. I mean really listen. Not just thinking about what we want to say while we ignore what they are saying. Jesus created that person who is talking and if for no other reason, that is sufficent reason for us to listen closely. A spirit is talking. I've heard something like, "A person doesn't care how much you know until he knows how much you care." This is so true. Being a good listener shows you care. We should love and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ and not put them down. A person might say, "I didn't like his singing on Sunday." Who are you to criticize somebody who is trying to sing a song in the name of the Lord? Rejoice that that person ain't strung out in a gutter somewhere with no hope! Be glad that they thought about singing that song. Be glad that they went and bought music, that they practiced and then got up there in front of everybody to sing! The precious spirit that sang that song belongs to the Lord Jesus. Don't despise the child of God when he hath done thee no harm. He has only sought to minister to you. He dwells securely by you, don't tear him down. Listen to the words to see why he selected the song and you're sure to be blessed. We can tell people that we love them and we can show them appropriate affection. A brother can give a brother a hug or a pat on the back and sisters can do the same. If the song leader has been faithful, why not say, "It's good to have you leading the songs." If someone comes back from vacation, why not say "It's good to have you back in our midst." A smile and a handshake can go a long way. Look for opportunities to greet and get to know people. The Bible says that we should be given to hospitality. Jesus said that when you make a dinner, don't be inviting the people that's going to pay you back. We are not to be respecters of persons. When a new person comes to church why not invite them over for a meal? Not just the cute people. Not just the well-dressed people. Include everybody. ABOUND in love. The meal don't have to be fancy. Whatever you have, that serve. Get to know your brothers and sisters. How can you love and fulfill the law of Christ if you don't know a person? We can disciple and advise people who are younger in the faith. Why not give a new Christian a Bible or publications that will help him with his new life? Paul said do good unto all men--ESPECIALLY them of the household of faith. Did somebody just lose their job? Why not pick up some extra groceries while you're out or why not share some canned goods from your cabinet? You can get a box of spaghetti on sale for 39 cents! We don't need to be blowing no horn when we give. Jesus said don't let your left hand know what your right hand doeth. Slip a little something in the pastor's chair every once in a while if you know he needs it. How can you know what needs a person has if you don't talk to them? Every Christian needs to belong to a local church where they give their tithe. No need to send your money to these parachurch organizations--there's probably enough need in your own church. Is there somebody in your midst that needs some help? Is there a missionary who could use a care package? Did somebody's wife just go into the hospital? Why not get some ladies of the church together to make meals so husband and children can be more at ease? Not only are they blessed by your liberality but you are blessed of God. Proverbs 19:17 says-- He that hath pity upon the poor LENDETH unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. This ain't just the financially poor it is the spiritually poor. Did you see it? When we do well for others, we are LENDING TO THE LORD! Whoa, Nelly! What a privilege. Also note that the Lord will pay you back--and you can bank on that! It may not be dollars and cents but you better believe you will get back more than what you put in. Pour yourself out for others. Spend yourself. Invest. When we invest, we must remember that we are doing it for the sake of the Lord Jesus. People are not always going to realize what you are doing for them, but there is One Who knows and sees and He is the one who counts. He sees the secret things. Sometimes people don't act grateful, but who cares? You've done your part. I taught Sunday School, VBS, Awana, etc. for a few years and I identify with Paul who said this in 2 Corinthians 12:15-- "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved." Some people will be ungrateful. Some may even despise you for your desire to help. Remember for Whom you work and be faithful to love. You will find that by humbling yourself under the mighty hand of God and by esteeming other better than yourself, He will lift you up and make you a vessel of honor. When somebody has a problem and needs some help who will they call? The faithful person who they know will try to help them. Some years ago, I read about Dorcas in Acts 9:36. There are only a few verses about this woman in the Bible, but I have a desire to be like her. It says this, "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was FULL OF GOOD WORKS and almsdeeds which she did." What a testimony. I don't want to be like the whorish women of the world and I don't care nothing about being famous. I want to be a laborer FULL of good works. There is ALWAYS somebody that needs some help even if all they need is a good listener and prayer partner. We must love. Everything else springs from this. Love is not an emotional high. Love is practical. It is the doing of the thing. Love will compel us to reach out to the lost sinner man and the struggling saint. Love will compel us to remain faithful to the Lord and to our brothers and sisters and to our spouses. Love will cause us to bear one another's burdens. You know, when you love and spend yourself on others, your own problems seem to disappear. for Jesus' sake, Tracy -- http://www.jesus-is-lord.com I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. Ezekiel 2:4, 6