Weekly Message
CONCERN FOR OTHERS!
From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness-besides other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.
(2 Corinthians 11:24-28)
As we look at the heart-breaking images in Haiti, we also see the tireless efforts of many who have volunteered to help with rescue and relief. Many have come from all around the world to live temporarily in conditions that put their health and safety at risk out of their concern for others.
In the passage above, it was not the fact that Paul had suffered through so many difficulties that really caught my attention. It was the fact that what he thought about every day, was his deep concern for the churches. In essence, his own problems were put aside because of his concern for others.
Many of you work very hard to help others at great expense to yourselves. I see the work that you do at our church and I am overwhelmed at how you continue to serve even though you are experiencing many hardships at the same time. Some of you have health problems. Some of you have financial problems. Some have relationship problems. My prayers are that God will continue to bless you for your unselfish desire to see others do well.
In chapter 12:9 of 2 Corinthians, the Lord tells Paul that His "grace is sufficient for Paul." I believe that we can rest in knowing that God's grace is sufficient for us as well. He will bless us because of our concern for others. So keep up the good work. As my father-in-law used to say, "give out, but don't give up! As you continue to have concern for others, there will be others who have concern for you. Hallelujah!
