AN EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

 

Ephesians 4:28-29,32

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. KJV

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. NIV

Our verses under consideration today speak volumes of the needs of others, which is just as well, because selfishness and greed have reached hitherto unheard-of heights. In a recent edition of the Daily Mail we read of a Manager who has been awarded a pay rise of 66%! He receives a basic pay packet of £1million as well as a £2million bonus. He collected £7.8million in pay and share rewards last year and on top of that he collects £250,000 in pension pay-outs and receives benefits worth £123,000 which include a car and health cover, if that is not enough it is believed that he has £4.4million in shares which will pay him out in the months to come! If you can take anymore! all this comes after he botched a mega-deal in 2010 which cost shareholders more than £400million. So much for the care and the needs of others!

Our verses deal with the following:

v28   Hands that      PROVIDE     that which is good for OTHERS.

v29   Mouths that   PROCLAIM    that which is good for OTHERS.

v32   Hearts that      PRODUCE    that which is good for OTHERS.

Matthew 27:42
He saved others; Himself He cannot save… KJV	He saved others, but He can’t save Himself! NIV

The Lord Jesus Christ gave us an example to follow. He gave Himself, in the true sense of the words, that it would do the greatest good for others since time began, and what He asks of us is:

• that we use our hands to provide good for others,
• that we use our mouths to broadcast good for others,
• and that we have hearts that yield and generate good for others.

Then the result MUST be good.