““What then should we do?” the crowds were asking him. He replied to them, “The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.”” (Luke 3:10–11, HCSB)
Share with someone who has none. Generosity is the footprint of God’s presence. In our lives, we are never more like Him than when we are giving. Remember, we are to imitate Him wherever possible, See 1 Corinthians 11:1 and John 3:16 as examples.
Giving is such an integral part of our faith that is it the sign of servant leadership itself. We cannot serve if we will not give. Consider the average amount of giving we have to do just to serve another person. First, we have to choose to serve, which means we first give up ourselves for someone else. That’s an attitude shift.
Next, we give of our resources. When I travel to be with someone, I have to use gas for my car, money for Uber, or sweat as I pedal my bicycle. In every case, I have to sacrifice precious resources for someone else. That’s a resource shift.
As we sit over coffee and talk, or we work together to fix the car, or we drive someone to their appointment we use up valuable time. Time is our most valuable commodity. We have little of it to spare in these hectic days. Once an hour is gone, it can never be retrieved. So, investing in someone else instead of us is a value shift.
When Jesus called us to share He told us to do so out of our surplus. You see, sharing is about having something that is good enough that I value it. Whatever I value in resources – time, clothing, food, money, etc. – Jesus calls us to share it.
Why? Because nothing is more personal than giving from our own resources to help another who lacks those very needs. People are drawn to such sacrifices for they reflect one’s heart. And servant leadership is nothing if it is not driven from our hearts.
When you look up and look around today, see those with genuine needs. Of course, start with your family. Then, look at your faith family. And don’t forget your neighbors and even your enemies. Nothing softens hearts more to be receptive to Jesus than sharing!
Willing Worker Wednesdays are dedicated to explaining the core realities of servant leadership – the Biblical principles and methods used by God’s faithful people throughout time. They further reflect the lifestyle of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords as He walked on this earth announcing the Kingdom of God had arrived. These brief lessons are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his extensive ministry within the local church, in higher education, in church consulting and as a Biblical author and leader. He welcomes your comments below.
