Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Jan. 27, 2012

“Don’t Finish What You Cannot Start”
“Don’t tell your neighbor, ‘Maybe some other time,’ or ‘Try me tomorrow when the money’s right there in your pocket...’" – Proverbs 3:28 (MSG)

One of my biggest struggles in life is to not like leaving projects undone. Have you ever started something thinking it would only take a little while only to have it occupy most of your day? I must ashamedly admit that I have found myself in that position too many times. It is why I am careful about starting jigsaw puzzles—I just cannot leave it alone until it is finished!! I mentioned a couple of days ago about helping those in need with the resources we have been given. What it means to truly be a neighbor and how what we do for others could have a major impact upon their future.
I want to take an entirely different approach with this same verse and you may be surprised that it has absolutely nothing to do with helping those in need—but more with allowing our lives to be used as the ultimate resource for the purpose of serving Christ.
In His “Sermon on the Mount” Jesus talked about this very issue by using this analogy: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:39-42, NIV) The verse of Scripture from Proverbs 3 is not so much about giving as it is about attitude! It is not what we give but how we give it and why. It is about living responsibly as a citizen of the Kingdom of Christ—of which there is no greater purpose than to serve Him and one another. The reason why I believe this to be a matter of attitude is this: My giving is not about me—nor is it about you—it is entirely about God and what He expects of me as His servant.
Think of it this way—you are walking down the road simply minding your own business. Walking on the opposite side of the road is a couple of soldiers. If you are living in Palestine during Jesus’ day you would easily recognize their uniforms—they are Imperial Roman soldiers. As your paths prepare to cross one of the soldier’s stands in your way and without as much as a greeting he says, “Jew, carry my pack.” According to Roman law you are required to carry that pack for no more than one mile. Now, not only are you having to stop what you are doing but now you must go a mile in the opposite direction to appease one who is by all accounts, your enemy!
The idea in Proverbs 3:28 is that you go that mile because you can. But what is your attitude saying? Are you under your breath saying to yourself, “I’ll carry your stinking pack a mile but I will go no further than that!”
According to Jesus the attitude is to be different. As you are walking down the road you are about to approach the one-mile marker. The soldier prepares to take the pack from you but instead of throwing it at him or on the ground you hang onto to it. “Has it really been a mile already?” You say. “I am feeling really good here so if it is okay with you I will go another mile.” What impact do you think this would have on that soldier?
What a difference a little attitude makes! Do you think it would change you? Your family? Your Church?
Pastor J. T. Carnell