How can we claim to have The Holy Spirit of The One, True Living GOD inside of us and then think or speak lowly of others? How can we claim to be Christian but not look out for the best interest of others first?
2Corinthians 8:1-4 says, “1…we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their freedom. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Note the Macedonians great Freedom despite their own great poverty. And in verse 5 we see they were so gracious in thinking of others, it says, “5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.”
First they gave themselves to The LORD and then they gave themselves to others. Having a mentality, or attitude, of “LORD first” instead of “me first” enabled them to put “others first”.
And their Freedom continued in supporting Paul to preach the Gospel (Philippians 4:10-18). Putting GOD and others first guaranteed that their own needs would be met (Philippians 4:19). The Macedonians illustrated the true value of putting others first.
If we do not follow their lead and put GOD first, then others first, then we are not following in JESUS The CHRIST'S footsteps as we are commanded to do all through Scripture.
Do we have a "me first" mentality? Because if we do, then we cannot truly be a Disciple of JESUS The CHRIST and if we do, then our own spiritual lives will suffer.
Do we want to be rid of the "me first" mentality? The "me first" mentality can be destroyed by taking on the “others first” mentality, which can only be developed as we make the “GOD first” mentality our reality & mission.
JESUS The CHRIST said it HIMSELF in Matthew 6:33 ~ But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
When we truly put the Kingdom of GOD and others before ourselves, then The LORD will see to it that we have the things that we need! (Matthew 6:30-33 & Philippians 4:19)
2Corinthians 8:1-4 says, “1…we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their freedom. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Note the Macedonians great Freedom despite their own great poverty. And in verse 5 we see they were so gracious in thinking of others, it says, “5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.”
First they gave themselves to The LORD and then they gave themselves to others. Having a mentality, or attitude, of “LORD first” instead of “me first” enabled them to put “others first”.
And their Freedom continued in supporting Paul to preach the Gospel (Philippians 4:10-18). Putting GOD and others first guaranteed that their own needs would be met (Philippians 4:19). The Macedonians illustrated the true value of putting others first.
If we do not follow their lead and put GOD first, then others first, then we are not following in JESUS The CHRIST'S footsteps as we are commanded to do all through Scripture.
Do we have a "me first" mentality? Because if we do, then we cannot truly be a Disciple of JESUS The CHRIST and if we do, then our own spiritual lives will suffer.
Do we want to be rid of the "me first" mentality? The "me first" mentality can be destroyed by taking on the “others first” mentality, which can only be developed as we make the “GOD first” mentality our reality & mission.
JESUS The CHRIST said it HIMSELF in Matthew 6:33 ~ But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
When we truly put the Kingdom of GOD and others before ourselves, then The LORD will see to it that we have the things that we need! (Matthew 6:30-33 & Philippians 4:19)