Friday
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” (Romans 15:2,3 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Help
Andrew Carnegie was a rich man. And THAT was an understatement.
But more than that, he understood the way God works in the world. Even though his income in the final years of his earthly life exceeded the income of many nations, Carnegie died almost penniless.
Because he gave it all away.
Perhaps he did not give in the manner that we would or do. He rarely gave to churches. He did not seek out the unemployed and aid them. He did not fund hospitals, political campaigns, or foodbanks. But on his list of charities, he created libraries, he funded schools, he aided veterans, and he sought to assist those who sought to work hard.
It seems Andrew Carnegie understand that the things he had been given, were given so that he could help others.
But Christ’s example is even broader than Carnegie’s. Because Jesus had more than money, income, and capital. Jesus had glory, all power, perfect righteousness, and love.
Yet Jesus used each of them for the benefit (the necessary benefit) of the unlovely, the undeserving, and those who did not care about Him.
He spent His glory on the shame of the cross. He spent His power empowering His adopted brothers and sisters. He spent His righteousness giving us righteous coverings. He spent His love enabling us to love: Him, and others.
He took away every reason to fear that we might have. And now, what do we get to do?
Fear not, then help.