BE FIRST BY BEING LAST

 

BE FIRST BY BEING LAST

Mark 9:35 "He sat down and called the twelve disciples over to him. Then he said, "Anyone who wants to be first must take the last place and be the servant of everyone else." NLT

We like to be out front. We like the attention. There is that natural desire in us to be noticed. We want the respect of others. We want to be highly thought of. We often seek out opportunities to make it happen. We let our craving for attention drive us and it often determines our lifestyle.

Jesus makes it clear that His children don't live like that. We are to be driven to serve others not lord it over them. No matter what position in life we may have, if we are not driven by service, we are not living right with God. There is no other way to say it. Do not seek the attention, power, authority, wealth and fame available to you in the world. Don't gloat over whatever you may have done or become in life. Don't look upon yourself as being privileged. Understand that whatever blessings you have received from God is so you can serve others. Understand that if you want to be right with God, it’s not about you.

If you want to please God, you will serve others rather than yourself. You will use what you have been given for good. In fact, to not use what we have for good is sin. It is withholding from God what He desires to do through you for His honor and glory. Be a servant-leader and you will be blessed.

It’s okay to be blessed with much, but it’s not okay to hoard it and deprive others of what they need while you live comfortably. A true child of God has a compassionate heart with a desire to show love for those Jesus loves.

Salt left in the saltshaker doesn’t do anyone any good, especially he who owns the salt.