These 2 words, although only containing a difference of 3 letters in spelling have such different meanings entirely.
One denotes having an exclusive concern about oneself vs the other that exhibits little or no concern for oneself. News reports are forever providing explanation of this trend of selfishness as the current generation's personalities but I think the society as a whole is affected by this.
When presented with options or choices to make, our first reaction is 'What's in it for me?' or 'Which option will benefit me the best?' To take it further, we fail to plan ahead and live in the 'here and now' with instant gratification driving lives and choices.
We blame our busy lives on being time-poor- but is it really that simple?
This is no different in the Christian life. We make excuses to not pray, read Scripture, go to church even and give financially to those that ask without expecting anything in return. But somenow, we always manage to find time watching podcasts, playing games on our smartphones, going out for coffee, having dinner parties, playing sport, playing computer games, watching TV, pretty much anything that is considered 'more fun' than spending time with our Lord.
I blogged previously about what KP Yohannan said with regards with financial giving amongst the fellowship of the church and how many churches including my own, are very materialistic in the way we think and don't give generously because we prefer to keep the majority of the things we think we own back to the Lord for His use. Classic example would be providing free food to a church full of wealthy people and families, rather than giving the free food to people just down the road that really need it.
"We do not own ourselves; we are owned by God," said John Piper in his Don't Waste Your Life messages. The ultimate act of selflessness and the greatest gift to ever be freely given to those who believe, is the gift of forgiveness, unconditional love and acceptance into eternal life with God through sending His Son to be punished, die and condemned with all the wickedness of the world laid upon Him.
We have no right to claim we deserve to be loved and accepted by God based on what we do and who we are.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
GFA Audio Book
During a recent 4 hour return car trip from camp to a wedding and back again, we listened to the audio version of the free Gospel for Asia book 'Revolution in World Missions'.
Written by Dr KP Yohannan, it chronicles his journey from a remote Indian village where he grew up, to be convicted of native missionary work and thus establish what is now known as the 'Gospel for Asia' missionary organisation. (or GFA).
The world generally knows about World Vision sponsorship. The Christian network knows about Compassion and TEAR sponsorships and community projects. There is nothing wrong with supporting these, but GFA offers something uniquely different.
Rather than sending people from developed countries into developing countries to do social and community projects or even evangelism amongst the local people, GFA's focus is on training people from within those countries to preach and teach Scripture,. They are then sent back to their homeland to undertake this ministry, as they have the unique advantage of already understanding the culture, the language and the people they serve.
One chapter in the free book described how when KP was visiting many churches in the US to generate support to establish this organisation and to support missionary work in general, one quote he wrote stood out for me:
(paraphrased)
"I'd be drumming up financial support for missionary work amongst the churches and their leadership team. They would happily offer donations of various amounts, but when I was invited afterwards to a dinner function with them, the amount of money they spent on the dinner alone was so much more than what they gave financially towards the missionary cause. This made me sick and wonder "are we as a society so materialistically-driven that we act as if we give generously, but in reality only give a small portion of what we think is generous and keep the rest for ourselves?"
Written by Dr KP Yohannan, it chronicles his journey from a remote Indian village where he grew up, to be convicted of native missionary work and thus establish what is now known as the 'Gospel for Asia' missionary organisation. (or GFA).
The world generally knows about World Vision sponsorship. The Christian network knows about Compassion and TEAR sponsorships and community projects. There is nothing wrong with supporting these, but GFA offers something uniquely different.
Rather than sending people from developed countries into developing countries to do social and community projects or even evangelism amongst the local people, GFA's focus is on training people from within those countries to preach and teach Scripture,. They are then sent back to their homeland to undertake this ministry, as they have the unique advantage of already understanding the culture, the language and the people they serve.
One chapter in the free book described how when KP was visiting many churches in the US to generate support to establish this organisation and to support missionary work in general, one quote he wrote stood out for me:
(paraphrased)
"I'd be drumming up financial support for missionary work amongst the churches and their leadership team. They would happily offer donations of various amounts, but when I was invited afterwards to a dinner function with them, the amount of money they spent on the dinner alone was so much more than what they gave financially towards the missionary cause. This made me sick and wonder "are we as a society so materialistically-driven that we act as if we give generously, but in reality only give a small portion of what we think is generous and keep the rest for ourselves?"
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