1Co
10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
Uhm, this
isn't what we are taught growing up, is it? We are taught it's a dog eat dog
world, and every man needs to fend for himself, that people will have to step
on other people as they climb to the top of the ladder- which by the way is
where everyone is trying to be. This is a do crazy stuff just to be wealthy.
This is a sin until the cows come home as long as you are bringing in the
bucks. This is a sacrifice all your principals because it is the way of the
world. This is a change your stance on morality in every single way you can
just so you don't get kicked out of your money-making job. As we line up some
of the world's idols let's note quickly- movie stars, singers of all genres,
athletes- these are all at the top of
the world's idols list. Ask a child who
they like the most and more than likely you'll get someone from the above short
list (outside of perhaps a mom, dad, grams, gramps, sibling- which some kids do
choose). I have a pre-k work folder (I'm 56 years old now) in my Baby/Child
Memory Box and one of the questions on a worksheet was along the lines of who
you admire most and I think I chose Judy - from Lost In Space ( a televison
show). I was in PRE-K guys, that means
pre-5 years old! That was 52 years ago if I was 4! It seems almost all of us have this inner
desire to be famous, barring that, to be rich by some means- even if it is just
through winning the lottery (most of us have a better chance at stardom than
winning the lottery (the big one that is).
Years ago
being a millionaire was a guarantee you're set for life situation- it isn't
that way any longer. The bar has been raised because the cost of living has
raised and so on and so forth. Not that I'm knocking a million dollars by a
long shot. The point being with all this- we seldom seek the wealth of ANOTHER
over our own wealth.
That Bible
verse isn't advocating taking (stealing) another's wealth by the way, I know
some people love to twist words and play games with meanings.
1Co
10:24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
We are not
to seek wealth for ourselves, especially above another's wealth- IT IS NOT A
DOG EAT DOG WORLD, or rather, it is not supposed to be. The way it is supposed to be is we are
supposed to seek OTHERS welfare OVER our own, before we take care of ourselves.
It's the oddest thing isn't it? To believe that is true. When we mostly take
care of ourselves and those that we consider belong in our special circle of
family and friends.
Others
before ourselves.
I struggle
with this on an unbelievable personal level which only reveals the depths of my
depravity and my unending need for repentance, forgiveness and renewal through
the Holy Spirit. Some people have a spirit of charity that is overwhelming and
amazing to witness, while others don't come by that spirit of charity naturally
and the claws of the world's fend for yourself at all costs sink deep into the
hearts of others. I don't want these claws in me! I want to be charitable and
NOT because others make it easy to be charitable, it shouldn't matter whether
another is making it easy to be nice! If I am a Christ follower I need to learn
to TURN THE OTHER CHEEK and allow it to be slapped without resentment. What good is turning the other cheek at all
if it is done with bitterness and not compassion for the cheek slapper? If all good is done begrudgingly is it good?
I need this STONEY heart taken out of me and I need it replaced with a heart of
flesh- of compassion, of love, of the love of GOD because my love is tainted
bitterly with selfishness, with self-serving, with seeking my own. God help me!
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