Having A Heart For The Lowly
Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
Romans 12:16, niv
There is no aristocracy in the church, no place for an ecclesiastical elite that deserves all the attention. But the Bible doesn’t say you should never associate with wealthy or influential people. It’s simply that you should sense more of an obligation to serve the lowly people because they are the more needy.
The Lord Jesus fittingly illustrated this truth, “‘When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 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; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just’” (Luke 14:12-14).
It’s not wrong to invite friends and relatives to your home for a meal. But it is wrong to do so with selfish motives, with the notion of being rewarded, and with no regard for those who can’t repay you.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 225). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: We should not be opposed to associating with those of "lower" position than ourselves, because we ourselves are of so much lower position than Christ, yet He became a man and came to the earth He created to associate with us. There is no room for pride in comparing ourselves to others because we cannot compare to Christ.
Applications: Associate and fellowship with all of the family of believers. Do not judge other's by appearance or financial means. If we only associate with those who are well off, we are being selfish and not looking out for the needs of others.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for opportunites to fellowship with everyone, both the well off and the needy. Pray for true humbleness and humility, so I would "consider others better than [myself]" (Phil 2:3).
Listen to this entry
Romans 12:16, niv
There is no aristocracy in the church, no place for an ecclesiastical elite that deserves all the attention. But the Bible doesn’t say you should never associate with wealthy or influential people. It’s simply that you should sense more of an obligation to serve the lowly people because they are the more needy.
The Lord Jesus fittingly illustrated this truth, “‘When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 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; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just’” (Luke 14:12-14).
It’s not wrong to invite friends and relatives to your home for a meal. But it is wrong to do so with selfish motives, with the notion of being rewarded, and with no regard for those who can’t repay you.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 225). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: We should not be opposed to associating with those of "lower" position than ourselves, because we ourselves are of so much lower position than Christ, yet He became a man and came to the earth He created to associate with us. There is no room for pride in comparing ourselves to others because we cannot compare to Christ.
Applications: Associate and fellowship with all of the family of believers. Do not judge other's by appearance or financial means. If we only associate with those who are well off, we are being selfish and not looking out for the needs of others.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for opportunites to fellowship with everyone, both the well off and the needy. Pray for true humbleness and humility, so I would "consider others better than [myself]" (Phil 2:3).
Listen to this entry
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