Friday, March 25, 2011

Something more noble than individual rights

Scripture Verse that caught my attention today: 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Do not seek your own advantage, but that of the other.

Observation: this perspective comes from authentic strength and confidence.

Application: I have a bit of a love/hate perspective on our capitalistic culture. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating for any other system. Every system has its problems and it would be foolish to trade one flawed system with any other flawed system. But the wisdom that Paul lays out in the above verses sure does make a lot of sense and tends to fly in the face of, if you’ll pardon the pun, “business” as usual.

Whether in commerce or sport, seeking one’s own advantage is pretty much the name of the game these days. It’s been that way for quite some time. Yet the irony is that having all the advantages does not necessarily make one a happier person. In fact, sometimes quite the opposite is the case.

Paul envisions a world where building one another up is valued more highly than taking advantage of individual rights. That’s a tough sell in today’s world, yet it remains a distinctive feature among followers of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, you have given the example. Now please help us to follow it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

(Readings today included: Joshua 21-22, Psalm 47 and 1 Corinthians 10)

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