Servanthood - Our money or our lives?

[Jesus] sat down and called the twelve disciples over to him. Then he said, "Anyone who wants to be the first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else."
Mark 9:35

It's hard to glamorize the disciples of Jesus when you pay attention to the Scriptures. Today's passage is a response to their ongoing argument about who was the greatest among them. When Jesus asked them about it, they kept quiet out of embarrassment. His response offers the antidote for pride and ambition and a model for true leadership.

A few years ago, when Mother Teresa visited Phoenix, Arizona, to speak at the opening of a home for the destitute, KTAR, the largest radio station in town, interviewed her. During a commercial break the announcer asked Mother Teresa whether there was anything he could do for her. He expected her to request a donation or ask for media help to raise money for the new facility.

Instead, she looked him in the eye and said, "Yes, there is. Find someone nobody else loves and love them."

I've never heard the rest of the story. I don't know if the challenge of that diminutive nun from Calcutta caused that disc jockey to seek our someone to love unconditionally or not. But itis a challenge that's hard to ignore.

Giving a gift of money is never as costly as giving of our lives. The gift of money is immediate. But giving our lives is ongoing.

The gift of money represents that past portion of our lives that we have already invested in our work. The gift of service represents a desire to invest more of our future in that which has eternal significance. Once money leaves our hands, so often the memory of it leaves us as well. But when we give our hearts, the memories are with us forever.

While money is a necessary (and always appreciated!) ingredient for any kingdom endeavor, the most acute need is always for leaders and servants. Where are those who will invest themselves in the lives of others, nurturing, encouraging, and developing people into mature disciples? Most of us, if offered a choice between giving some extra money to our church or working in the church's preschool department, would dig deep into our pockets!

But it is precisely that sacrificial quality of service that makes it so valuable. Whether it is teaching children in Sunday school or being part of the work crew that puts a new roof on the crisis pregnancy center, serving is the key to keeping our priority and focus.

Ed Rowell


Reflection

What are some of the unique experiences God has used to bring growth in my life? How can serving others redeem even difficult experiences?

Prayer

God, please bring to mind people who would benefit from spending time with me. How could I offer them encouragement, hope, and opportunities to grow? Grant me the courage to contact them—today.

"The man who keeps busy helping the man below him won't have time to envy the man above him."


—Henrietta Mears, twentieth-century Christian educator

July Morning Ministry

BEWARE OF:-
4 The leaven of the Pharisees
11 Attitude of the Sadducees
18 Outward religious observances
25 Demonical signs and wonders

THE TRUMPET SHALL SOUND

Once every four years we are treated to a month long football fiesta known globally as the World Cup. This year’s edition is held for the very first time in the African continent, in South Africa. If there is one thing that would always remind us of the 2010 World Cup it must be the vuvuzela. It is a plastic trumpet, a meter long, brightly coloured and sounds like an elephant! Imagine the noise a thousand of these trumpets can make in a stadium. The atmosphere would be exhilarating.

In Corinthians 15:52 the Apostle Paul says that a trumpet will sound. I am sure this trumpet would make an equally grand entrance as the vuvuzela but not because of the sound but due to the effect it would have on Christians. Verse 52 says, ‘For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised and we shall all be changed.‘ We will be changed from mortal beings to immortality. Death will no longer have a hold on us because it had been defeated by the grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ. The sound of the trumpet will signal the victory the Lord Jesus Christ has over death. There will be no more Christians dying. Wow! What a wonderful day that would be.

Therefore, it is important that Christians be steadfast, strong in their faith and unwavering. We need to hold fast to what we have – salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. This should encourage us to be abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that whatever we do for the Lord is not in vain.

We would not know how loud the trumpet would be but we know that if we go about our Father’s business and help in the growth of the assembly here in Nilai Gospel Chapel, the sound of that trumpet would be more powerful than a thousand vuvuzelas because we know what we will receive and whom we will see – the Lord Jesus Christ.

by Arnold Nathan
NGC Newsletter for July/Aug 2010

KNOWING HOW TO GIVE GOOD GIFTS

Christians march to the tune of Christ. Where He sends, we will go. This was a lesson learned and executed by the paralytic whom Christ healed in Matthew 9.6,7: …he then said to the Paralytic--"rise, take up your bed and go home." And he rose and went home.

In our periodic missionary fervour, we often think of the great tasks Christ is sending us to in the far loftier contexts of overseas mission and big vocational assignments. On this Father's Day, we may do far better to heed Christ's commission to just "go home". Yes "home" in the domestic sense of grandparents, parents, children, siblings, nephews and nieces, aunties and uncles, and close friends. Yes, "go home" to our neglected families which increasingly have been playing second fiddle to our work, our hobbies, our churches, our computers, our television, our games, our books, our dreams and ambitions. When was the last time we have been really home giving full attention and being good company to our families?

In  Luke 11.11-13, Jesus used the context of home life to teach a most important message: "What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?" He concludes: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!“
I thought this Father's Day we will do well to learn from our heavenly Father to know how to give good gifts within our family life. Good gifts which money cannot buy.

We parents, fathers have the duty to give good gifts to our children. Good gifts such as bringing our children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord but not provoking our children to anger (Ephesians 6. 4)  "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." (Colossians 3.21).

The line between a good and bad gift is thin. We fathers are required to give instruction and discipline to our children but if we go overboard on this, we end up provoking them and leave them discouraged and disheartened.

As children we need to learn how to give good gifts to our parents too: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise),  "that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth." (Ephesians 6.1-3)

For the greatest lesson for Father's Day, we need not look further than Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son. Things can happen in the family. Mistakes can be made at home which in turn can lead to many other things. Good things can go bad. But bad things can become good too in the grace of the Lord. We know the story of the prodigal son. How he left home and got himself into real trouble. But also, and far more importantly, how he returned home to his father in these immortal words in Luke 15.17-22:  "But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger!  I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you;  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.“” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet;  and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry.”

What is the best decision you can make this Father's Day? What is the best Father's Day gift you can give to your parents? The answer is GO HOME. Stay home. Let God help you make peace and heal the wounds.

Extract from a Father's Day message by Goh Keat Peng

Gambling and Christianity

The new President of the NSW Council of Churches in Australia, the Revd Richard Quadrio, has welcomed the release of the long-awaited Productivity Commission Report into Gambling, and called on federal and state governments to implement all recommendations.

The Report indicated that Australia had about 600,000 regular gamblers, of whom approximately 95,000 were “problem gamblers.” The social cost of problem gambling in Australia was estimated at $4.7 billion per year, and problem gambling directly affected up to 350,000 people each year.

“Every Report recommendation that is implemented will help to reduce the intolerable burden of problem gambling in our communities. We want to see action to limit the size and speed of poker machine bets in the short term, and phasing in of additional reforms as soon as possible in consultation with industry and community groups,” NSW Council of Churches President Revd Quadrio said.

“The fact that clubs and pubs are pleased with the government’s initial response to the Report is not necessarily a good sign. The government needs to give a clear indication that it is not captive to the gambling industry by setting out a comprehensive reform process well before the next election,” Revd Quadrio said.

In March 2008 the NSW Council of Churches called on state and federal governments to develop sustainable alternative sources of state revenue, reduce the prevalence of gambling in our communities, and support those for whom gambling is a problem.

The Council of Churches also recommended the implementation of reasonable measures to discourage advertising and sponsorship of gambling.


Back here in Malaysia, Prime Minister Najib Razak said his government had dropped a proposal to legalise sports betting amid protests by groups who fear it will create more social ills.

The uproar over sports betting erupted after Ascot Sports, a company controlled by influential tycoon Vincent Tan, said in May it had been granted a licence to offer odds for the hugely popular English Premier League season.

The government denied such a licence had been issued and said that it was still reviewing its decision as Muslim groups, opposition leaders and even members of the ruling government coalition opposed the new licence.

"I hereby wish to announce that the government has decided that the licence will not be issued," Najib told state media late Friday.

"Although there were groups who supported as well those who did not support or opposed the decision, it was clear to the government that a majority of the people did not agree that the licence be issued to Ascot Sports," he added.

Opposition political parties said Thursday they were planning a mass street protest next month against the proposal.

"We have too many social problems -- drug addiction, free sex and baby dumping," Kamarulzaman Mohamad, youth secretary of the conservative Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS) told AFP.

"Sports betting will add to our problems as most youths watch football. They will be influenced to borrow money," he added.

Party officials told AFP Saturday they have yet to decide whether the demonstration will be cancelled following Najib's announcement.

Malaysia bans its majority Muslims from gambling but allows betting at a casino operated by the Genting Group, on the national lottery and on horse-racing.

Surprisingly, the Bible contains no specific command to avoid gambling. However, the Bible does contain timeless principles for living a life pleasing to God and is filled with wisdom to deal with every situation, including gambling.

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV)

"No servant can serve two masters. [Jesus said.] Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Luke 16:13, NIV)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10, NIV)

Gambling is a way to bypass work, but the Bible counsels us to persevere and work hard:

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4, NIV)

One of the key principles in the Bible is that people should be wise stewards of everything God gives them, including their time, talent and treasure. Gamblers may believe they earn their money with their own labor and may spend it as they please, yet God gives people the talent and health to carry out their jobs, and their very life is a gift from him as well. Wise stewardship of extra money calls believers to invest it in the Lord’s work or to save it for an emergency, rather than lose it in games in which the odds are stacked against the player.

Gamblers covet more money, but they may also covet the things money can buy, such as cars, boats, houses, expensive jewelry and clothing. The Bible forbids a covetous attitude in the Tenth Commandment:

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:17, NIV)

Gambling also has the potential to turn into an addiction, like drugs or alcohol. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 2 million U.S. adults are pathological gamblers and another 4 to 6 million are problem gamblers. This addiction can destroy the stability of the family, lead to job loss, and cause a person to lose control of their life:

…for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. (2 Peter 2:19)

Some argue that gambling is nothing more than entertainment, no more immoral than going to a movie or concert. People who attend movies or concerts expect only entertainment in return, however, not money. They are not tempted to keep spending until they "break even."

Finally, gambling provides a sense of false hope. Participants place their hope in winning, often against astronomical odds, instead of placing their hope in God. Throughout the Bible, we are constantly reminded that our hope is in God alone, not money, power, or position:

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. (Psalm 62:5, NIV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13, NIV)

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (1 Timothy 6:17, NIV)

Christianity and the Media

The media has provoked diverse reactions amongst Christians. On one hand, the media provides opportunities to spread the message of Christianity into places where Christian missionaries cannot go. For example, foreign Christian missionaries have been banned from teaching Christianity within Iran . However, satellite Christian broadcasts in Persian (the language spoken in Iran) have been transmitted into Iran and many Iranians have become Christians through this. In this country many thought provoking television programmes make people think more about Christianity. However, the media also can portray Christians in a negative light. Some Christians hold the media responsible for the decline in moral standards. These Christians believe that as what they consider 'immoral behaviour' is portrayed on screen so much that eventually people copy it.

A Father's Love

A father is respected because
he gives his children leadership...
appreciated because
he gives his children care...
valued because
he gives his children time...
loved because
he gives his children the one thing
they treasure most - himself.

The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. Proverbs 20:7 NKJV

A Blessing for Fathers

A good man obtains favor from the Lord.
Proverbs 12:2 NIV

May the blessing of being a father remind you of how valued and honored you are in the eyes of the Lord.