Sharing

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Overflowing Love

When Jesus sent out the 70 disciples, He told them not to take anything–not even an extra change of clothes!

The early church sold all of their extra stuff (they shared everything else) and dumped the money at the apostles’ feet. 

The widow in the temple gave everything she had. 

Paul teaches us the secret of contentment: Do all things through Christ who strengthens you whether you’re broke or rich. 

We’re told to not covet in The 10 Commandments and by Jesus Himself. 

We’re told to seek The Kingdom first because God is the supplier of our every need. 

And I could keep going with examples!

I’m packing up to move and I wonder if I’m too greedy…

Am I willing to give everything away?

To share everything?

To see my life–time, giftings, possessions, and money–as simply a means to help others?

I want to say yes. I want it to be an all-the-time truth, but I struggle…

Can’t something be mine?

Here was God’s answer:

Yes, the one thing no one can take away is your relationship with Me. What else do you want?

Ouch!

God is an all-in kind of Father. He gave us everything He had. Nothing was held back from us. 

I want to be that kind of person. 

I want to be all-in. 

My life was so empty before my relationship with God. No amount of success or approval or stuff could fill the void. 

My response to His great grace is that I want to live a life stripped bare of anything that keeps me from being full of Him, of His overflowing love. 

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Learning to Love and Loving to Share

In John 13:3-5, Jesus does something that really blows my mind.

“Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He [rose] from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel and girded himself. After that he [poured] water into a [basin], and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”

Jesus, the savior of the world, understood that everything was His, but He washed the disciples’ feet. I am humbled by this passage because I have to stop and think, “Would I be willing to do that if I understood that they should be washing my feet?”

Sometimes I feel that we as humans get caught up in the entitlement trap.

Look at me. I’m really something.

Yeah right.

This line of thinking is borderline idolatry. Satan’s entitlement issue is what ultimately led to His being cast out of Heaven.

I mean, everyone is always beating up on the Pharisees and the Sadducees, but really we have all been like them at some point.

While selfishness is a human tendency it should not be entertained as an option in the life of a believer. In fact, the mark of a servant leader is humility before God and others.

Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. Get this: Jesus washed Judas’ feet.

Holy cow! Talk about really loving on your enemies. I don’t know if I would be able to do that.

Think about it.

Jesus knew that Judas was going to betray him. And he washed Judas’ feet? The guy who was about to turn him over to be killed?

Don’t forget about the other disciples. They were about to scatter and leave Jesus all alone. Peter denied Jesus three times. And he washed their feet?

When I read this passage of Scripture, it makes me love Jesus even more.

He willingly gave up his life for me. He suffered the wrath of others for me. He freely took my sins about his shoulder.

His sacrifice is the ultimate example of servant leadership in practice. 

I am driven to serve others because of what Christ did for me.

How can I not share? My cup is running over with love from my Father.

I want others to know what that’s like because God’s love is daily changing my life.

Let’s spend some time this week spreading that love around. Call a friend, send a card, or shoot someone a message on Facebook or Twitter. Just share what God is freely giving you. I know that I am finding it harder and harder not to.