It Is Better To Give Than To Receive (Especially in a fight!)

Thursday Oct 6, 2005

Reading: John 13:3-5, Mark10:45, Phil 2:3-8

Thought:
Serving is like Boxing.. It is better to give than to receive. I know a pastor who is an ex-boxer. He is full of stories and facts about boxing and about life growing up on the streets of Philly. He told of time when he was in a place that was not welcoming of him being there. He was fighting the hometown favorite in the favorite’s hometown. He knew he could beet the guy and instead of just doing so he decided to shop boat a little. I guess he thought that he would become the next hometown hero. He did everything from beat on his chest, to howl, to wind his arm several times before he threw a punch, to dance in circles around this guy.

This made the crowd very angry and from what he told me they even started throwing tomatoes. (Yes, just like in the movies) The short of the story is that he ended up winning but barely got out with his own life. The police had been called before the fight was over in order to escort him out of the ring for his own safety. His manager was so mad at him for the display of showboating he really laid into him after they left the arena and even told his father that he would not work with his son anymore for the fact that he almost got them both mobbed and maybe killed.

What was the big deal? So he beat a guy and made it look fancy doing it, what is the matter with that? The point is not about who won or lost it was about pride and dignity. He stripped his opponent of both by beating him the way he did. So often it seems that people will serve with the idea that they will get something out of it. My friend the ex-boxer served this guy up a woopin but did it in such a way that he was hated for it. What he should have done was kept his mouth shut, won the fight and quietly left the ring.

Questions:
How often do we serve with the motive of being recognized or even thanked?

Jesus set the example many times in his life here on earth, by being God and serving us.

How much more should we be willing to serve others in a humble way if Christ is willing to serve us?

What are some ways you can serve other and be a blessing to them?

Exercise:
Pay attention to what is happening in your house and take a chore for a family member without being asked. Whether it be cleaning the bathroom, doing the laundry (Don’t mix lights and darks or shrink anything) or even making someone’s bed for them. Look for ways you can be a blessing to someone else this week and do it. What you get out of it is a deep fulfillment that only comes from doing these things for others and who knows what else it may just save your life?

Pray:
Ask God to show you ways to be a servant to someone else. Pray for those whom you wish to serve and who serve you.