The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “For the Good of All” for Sunday, 18 January 2015 - Scripture: Galatians 6:7-10

The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “For the Good of All” for Sunday, 18 January 2015 - Scripture: Galatians 6:7 You cannot fool God, so don’t make a fool of yourself! You will harvest what you plant. 8 If you follow your selfish desires, you will harvest destruction, but if you follow the Spirit, you will harvest eternal life. 9 Don’t get tired of helping others. You will be rewarded when the time is right, if you don’t give up. 10 We should help people whenever we can, especially if they are followers of the Lord.
Whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all.[Galatians 6:10 (NRSV)]
On a recent flight, I read in the airline company’s in-flight magazine about the way they treat their employees once they are hired. They don’t focus intensely on rules or policy applications (except those related to safety). Instead, they give their employees freedom to be themselves, to do what they discern to be right in taking care of their customers. They have one overriding rule, the Golden Rule — treating others as we want to be treated. They hire people with passionate servant hearts and empower them to do what’s right. They have found that when treated in this way, their employees consistently surprise, delight, and amaze their customers.
I began to compare this company’s policy to our opportunity as Christians. As set forth by God, we — the church — will be truly committed to Jesus Christ, enjoying our freedom in Christ, living by the Golden Rule, and having passionate servant hearts. God empowers us to use our God-given gifts and talents in doing what is right. Such a Body will also consistently serve those around it. A congregation whose members walk as Jesus walked and focus on people will also surprise, delight, and amaze their community. Those around us will see us showing loving and deliberate acts of kindness every day. Isn’t this a picture of God’s way for the family of Christ?
The Author: Andy Baker (Tennessee, USA)
Thought for the Day: God empowers us to serve for the good of all.
Prayer: Dear God, fill us with zeal to be your people in everything we do. Help us to focus on serving you and serving those around us. Amen.
Prayer focus: Airline employees
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