Connected in The Word 1-29-26
Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Matthew 5:11
Bearing the Name of Jesus will not win you friends with many people in the world. This means that even when you Serve Generously, if you bear the name of Jesus – people may not like you very much. But please don’t let this prevent you from Serving Generously. God’s Word is powerful, and when we Serve Generously it gives us opportunity to share that powerful Word of God. But even if we don’t get the opportunity to share the Name of Jesus – Serving Generously is still a good thing.
When we Serve Generously in the world or in the Church it glorifies God and it is really good for other people. It also recognizes the value of human life, the rest of God’s creation, and the mission of the Church on earth. People are worth caring for because Jesus thought people were worth dying for. When we Serve Generously with our time, talents, and treasures we are agreeing with God that people are valuable. Is it good to Serve Generously because it opens the door to share the Gospel? Yes, of course! But it is also good to Serve Generously because Jesus went to the cross for those we are serving.
Sharing the Gospel and Serving Generously is difficult and sometimes is met with persecution. That’s to be expected in a broken and sinful world. Don’t let your sinful nature, the devil, or this world keep you from doing what God has designed you to do. Serving Generously recognizes the value of humanity, the value of God’s creation, and the value of the Church on earth. Don’t let this world talk you into thinking that people and the Gospel are not valuable.
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