Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your
own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Brother Andrew loves to tell this parable from the Middle East:
A certain man had two sons. One was rich and the other was poor. The rich son
had no children while the poor son was blessed with many sons and many
daughters. In time, the father fell ill. He was sure he would not live through
the week, so on Saturday he called his sons to his side and gave each of them
half of his land for their inheritance. Then he died. Before sundown the sons
buried their father with respect.
That night the rich son could not sleep. He said to himself, “What my father
did was not just. I am rich and my brother is poor. I have plenty of bread while
my brother’s children eat one day and trust God for the next. I must move the
landmark which our father has set in the middle of the land so that my brother
will have the greater share. Ah – but he must not see me; if he sees me, he will
be shamed. I must arise early in the morning before it is dawn and move the
landmark!” With this he fell asleep and his sleep was secure and peaceful.
Meanwhile, the poor brother could not sleep. As he lay restless on his bed,
he said to himself, “What my father did was not just. Here I am surrounded by
the joy of many sons and daughters while my brother daily faces the shame of
having no sons to carry on his name and no daughters to comfort him in his old
age. He should have the land of our fathers. Perhaps this will in part
compensate him for his indescribable poverty. Ah – but if I give it to him, he
will be shamed. I must awake early in the morning before it is dawn and move the
landmark which our father has set!” With this he went to sleep and his sleep was
secure and peaceful.
On the first day of the week – very early in the morning, a long time before
it was day, the two brothers met at the ancient land marker.
They fell with tears into each other’s arms. And on that spot was built the
New Jerusalem.
RESPONSE: Today I will focus on the needs and interests of others rather
than on my own.
PRAYER: Pray that this biblical attitude of love, humility and
selflessness will pervade the church of Jesus Christ in the Middle East today
and around the world.
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