ODB: Radical And Upside Down
June 23, 2011
In Christ’s kingdom, humility trumps pride every time.
READ: Luke 14:7-14
There are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last. —Luke 13:30
The values of the kingdom that Jesus came to establish were radically different than those of His day. The Pharisees and teachers of the law clamored for the spotlight and sought the adulation of the crowds. Many of us still do this today.
In Luke 14, Jesus told a parable that taught His followers not to be like that. The parable talks about people who chose the most honored seat for themselves at a wedding feast (vv.7-8). He said they would be embarrassed when the host asked them publicly to take their rightful place (v.9). Jesus went on in His story to talk about whom to invite to such dinners. He said they shouldn’t invite friends and family, but “when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you” (vv.13-14).
Disappointed because you have not broken into the more elite group in your church or neighborhood? Stuck down on rung two when you’d rather be on rung eight or at least climbing the social ladder? Listen to what Jesus said: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (v.11). That’s the radical and upside-down way of God’s kingdom!
— David C. Egner
Source: Our Daily Bread
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Just wonder, what are the non-Christians think about church nowaday? A social club that help the poor and needy? A place for the rich and sociable? Maybe not rich but decent kind of people. I think besides the front that the church is putting up, individual Christians do play a part. Don’t you agree? I believe that individual testimony and effort can be great than what the church can do at times.
Concerning our properties, we should see them as God’s gifts to us and not boast or oppress with them.