Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - To Your Health - And Theirs

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” 

Matthew 10:42

    It seems I'm surrounded by a surge of people ready to move in positive ways toward helping people in our community.  Good things happen when believers work together for the good of other people. For instance:
     less fortunate people see Christ working for them through their neighbors;
     hungry people are fed and clothed;
     believers grow closer together, putting aside differences to re-align priorities;
     givers discover the Spirit provides them with additional gifts, energy and abilities;
     everyone grows in spiritual health.
A church filled with giving, serving believers contrasts sharply with the church James addressed in his letter.
James 4:1-3

What causes fights and quarrels among you? 

Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 

You desire but do not have, so you kill. 

You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. 

You do not have because you do not ask God. 

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, 

that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 

The believers James addressed were circled up facing each other, looking at what others in their tight little church possessed and contrasting it with what they themselves didn't have. We must avoid becoming huddled, stale churches who ignore the world outside or else our safety-net circle will become a trap for quarreling over power, authority, decisions, money, budgeting, how to dress, and which pew belongs to whom.  An inward-focused mentality creates grabbers, not givers.  No person or church can be healthy and at peace when selfishness and envy rule the hearts in the huddle.  

"One person gives freely, yet gains even more;  another withholds unduly, 

 but comes to poverty." 

Proverbs 11:24

"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."  (and the eggs)

Proverbs 14:30

Lord, Giver Who gives and teaches us to do the same, You created us so our health depends on pouring out what You give us rather than poring over what we don't have.  You made us in Your brilliant image of Love and Light - yet we hoard and hide who we are under the proverbial bushel, afraid we lose it or people will expect more from us.  Forgive us for burying the blessings You give us when You've called us to give so You can refill us.  Make us healthy, open, loving believers and may Your church begin to reflect the character You've given us.
In the Name of Jesus Who gave everything