6 Those who are taught the word should share all good things with their teacher. 7 Make no mistake, God is not mocked. A person will harvest what they plant. 8 Those who plant only for their own benefit will harvest devastation from their selfishness, but those who plant for the benefit of the Spirit will harvest eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. 10 So then, let’s work for the good of all whenever we have an opportunity, and especially for those in the household of faith.
Reflection
In Chapter 6 of Galatians, Paul provides specific instructions for living in community. He describes community life as correcting those who have gone astray as well as assisting one another. Paul is wise and reminds those who are correcting others to be sure their motivation is pure as it is possible to begin to think of oneself as better than others. Each person must take responsibility for their actions.
Paul saw doing what is right in God’s eyes as living selflessly as modeled by Jesus in his life and death on earth. In Romans 15, Paul explains that unity between the weak and the strong can be achieved by accepting one another as Christ accepts us. Paul would be considered strong by many but for Paul strength isn’t power, it is taking responsibility for others. This is Agape love, genuine acceptance. Christian harmony is a gift of God’s constancy that allows believers to share a united outlook, be committed, and revere God. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes the meaning of the Greek word Agape as “the fatherly love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God.”
How do we apply this in our daily lives? I Googled the following question, “what are characteristic of people in this world who work selflessly for the good of others? Here is one example that I found:
It’s easy to overlook the positive impact selflessness can have on mental health in a world where everyone seems to be looking out for themselves. Being selfless is a kind act that benefits both the giver and the recipient. Recent research (2019) published in The Journal of Social Psychologyhas shown that selfless acts can boost serotonin levels, which are responsible for mood regulation and happiness. Furthermore, by devoting our time and energy to helping others without any ulterior motive, we reduce our stress hormone levels, which can lead to a general sense of calm and well-being. However, it appears that many people have become too preoccupied with their own lives to devote the time necessary to assist others.
It’s clear that helping others is more than just a nice thing to do; it’s also a powerful way to improve your own mental health. Volunteering not only allows you to make a positive difference in your community, but it also provides you with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Small acts of kindness, such as lending a listening ear or lending a helping hand, can make someone’s day and make you feel good about yourself. You can improve your overall well-being and make a difference in the world by taking the time to help others. So let us keep spreading kindness and positivity and making selfless acts a part of our daily lives.
by Clarence Beverage
For Pondering and Prayer
Pastor Joe mentioned, during this past Sunday’s message, the value of doing things that can bring us joy. Because each of us is unique, the number of choices can be virtually infinite. I just spoke with someone yesterday who told me he enjoys puzzles. Maybe for you its music, dancing, reading, long walks on the beach… When you put our scripture together with the words on selflessness maybe God, with great wisdom, wanted us to have joy in our lives through the process of selflessness?
The scripture speaks about those who have been taught sharing with their teacher. Your sharing might be a thank you but maybe it’s more such as putting into practice what you learned and finding it works so well, and you are so appreciative, that you have to go back and say thank you.
The scripture says work for the good of all whenever you can but especially for those who have faith. What do you think of that? What do you think Paul meant?
Prayer: Dear Lord, being in your Word brings your Spirit closer to us and we experience joy and comfort. We pray for the indwelling of your Spirit in ways that draw us closer to you and from that, empower us to be discerning and mature in faith over time. We pray for strength when things don’t go well and a selfless spirit with which to live with others. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen