Daily Bible Reading: Genesis 50, Luke 3, Job 16 - 17, 1 Corinthians 4
Be the Best You
When John the Baptist began his ministry crowds came to hear him and be baptized. He was known to have a sharp tongue and he wasn't afraid to confront evil of every kind. He called them a brood of vipers. In other words, he said they were a bunch of snakes. That kind of talk certainly would not draw a crowd in our day!!
As I was reading Luke 3 I noticed John's response to the tax collectors who were coming to hear him and also the soldiers. They asked what they should do? He didn't tell them to leave their jobs, drop everything and follow him. What he told them was to be the best tax collectors and soldiers that they could be. He told the tax collectors to stop collecting more taxes than they were required to collect. They were notorious for doing that very thing, and with the extra they collected they lined their pockets and filled their coffers. They were hated by society. John told them, stay where you are, keep doing your job, only be honest.
He told the soldiers to stop extorting money. They were probably using their positions to sell protection. Next he told them to stop accusing people falsely. Because of their position they could easily point the finger at someone who was really innocent. Again, probably for money. And he told them to be content with their pay. If they stopped doing the first two things their income would be drastically cut, but John said stop doing those things and be content with what you are getting paid.
John was telling the people to be integrated into society and be the best of what they were. Be the best tax collector, be the best solider. Be honest, do your job with integrity.
The Lord is still saying this in our society. He wants us to be integrated into society, to be an influence for righteousness right where we are. Be the best school teacher, be the best coach, be the best personal trainer, be the best teller, be the best barista, be the best office manager, etc., etc. You get the picture. Whatever you are doing for a living, do it to the best of your ability, with all your heart and might and with honesty and integrity. Your boss should know that he can trust you without a shadow of a doubt. And if you are the boss, people should say you are the best boss they ever had.
How can we affect society unless we interact with it? I believe the Lord wants to put Christians in places of influence in today's world. We need Christian politicians who will raise their voices to defend godly principles. We need Christian bankers who will value their clients and make decisions that will benefit their clients, not inflate the company's bottom line. We need Christian school teachers who will be role models for their students and instill within them a desire to succeed, to be all that they can be.
I think Joseph in Genesis 50 is a very good example of this. He was not afraid to take the helm of an ungodly nation. He acted with such integrity that Pharaoh trusted him implicitly and rewarded him for his leadership role with favor. When Joseph took time off the bury his father all the dignitaries of Egypt went with him. When his brothers thought he might be holding a grudge against them now that their father was dead, he told them God intended his being sent to Egypt for the saving of many lives. He preserved the nation of Israel. If they all had died in the famine, there would have been no Israeli nation. (Gen. 50:20)
As you meet the public every day, let the light of Christ shine through you. After you leave the presence of someone I believe they should be left wondering what is different about that person? Why are they so happy in today's economy? Why do they have a smile on their face? What's inside of them that shines through?
Wherever God has planted you, be the best "you" you can be.
God is good all the time,
Be the Best You
When John the Baptist began his ministry crowds came to hear him and be baptized. He was known to have a sharp tongue and he wasn't afraid to confront evil of every kind. He called them a brood of vipers. In other words, he said they were a bunch of snakes. That kind of talk certainly would not draw a crowd in our day!!
As I was reading Luke 3 I noticed John's response to the tax collectors who were coming to hear him and also the soldiers. They asked what they should do? He didn't tell them to leave their jobs, drop everything and follow him. What he told them was to be the best tax collectors and soldiers that they could be. He told the tax collectors to stop collecting more taxes than they were required to collect. They were notorious for doing that very thing, and with the extra they collected they lined their pockets and filled their coffers. They were hated by society. John told them, stay where you are, keep doing your job, only be honest.
He told the soldiers to stop extorting money. They were probably using their positions to sell protection. Next he told them to stop accusing people falsely. Because of their position they could easily point the finger at someone who was really innocent. Again, probably for money. And he told them to be content with their pay. If they stopped doing the first two things their income would be drastically cut, but John said stop doing those things and be content with what you are getting paid.
John was telling the people to be integrated into society and be the best of what they were. Be the best tax collector, be the best solider. Be honest, do your job with integrity.
The Lord is still saying this in our society. He wants us to be integrated into society, to be an influence for righteousness right where we are. Be the best school teacher, be the best coach, be the best personal trainer, be the best teller, be the best barista, be the best office manager, etc., etc. You get the picture. Whatever you are doing for a living, do it to the best of your ability, with all your heart and might and with honesty and integrity. Your boss should know that he can trust you without a shadow of a doubt. And if you are the boss, people should say you are the best boss they ever had.
How can we affect society unless we interact with it? I believe the Lord wants to put Christians in places of influence in today's world. We need Christian politicians who will raise their voices to defend godly principles. We need Christian bankers who will value their clients and make decisions that will benefit their clients, not inflate the company's bottom line. We need Christian school teachers who will be role models for their students and instill within them a desire to succeed, to be all that they can be.
I think Joseph in Genesis 50 is a very good example of this. He was not afraid to take the helm of an ungodly nation. He acted with such integrity that Pharaoh trusted him implicitly and rewarded him for his leadership role with favor. When Joseph took time off the bury his father all the dignitaries of Egypt went with him. When his brothers thought he might be holding a grudge against them now that their father was dead, he told them God intended his being sent to Egypt for the saving of many lives. He preserved the nation of Israel. If they all had died in the famine, there would have been no Israeli nation. (Gen. 50:20)
As you meet the public every day, let the light of Christ shine through you. After you leave the presence of someone I believe they should be left wondering what is different about that person? Why are they so happy in today's economy? Why do they have a smile on their face? What's inside of them that shines through?
Wherever God has planted you, be the best "you" you can be.
God is good all the time,
Naomi Brinkman
Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Exodus 1, Luke 4, Job 18, 1 Corinthians 5
Tomorrow's Bible Reading - Exodus 1, Luke 4, Job 18, 1 Corinthians 5
1 comment:
Great Word and one we need to be reminded of on a daily basis! I like being the best me and I can be when I pray.
Ben,
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