Wash feet

Read Luke 14:7-11, Mark 12:41-44

“For everyone who exalts himself 

will be humbled,

 and he who humbles himself 

will be exalted.”

                                       Luke 14:11

Here Jesus is in the house of a Pharisee and is noticing how people vying to sit at
the best place at the dinner table. He notes how selfish they are. How they desire to show their status. This happens in the church today and is encouraged many times, whether intentionally or not.
How often have you seen a television evangelist say if you give so many thousands of dollars to their ministry you will receive a plaque or piece of sculpture or ornament to display. While those who give lesser amounts receive something small or just a tax receipt?
Appealing to someone’s ego, make them think they doing something that will increase their status, will nearly always get you something from them.
Years ago when I worked for a government institution where sadly, politics abounded everywhere. I found I could nearly always get what I wanted if when I explained things I made it sound that my boss would look good because of it. I appealed to his ego.
It really amazed me at times how easy it was to get what I wanted.
Don’t get me wrong here, we need people within the church who are willing to give thousand, tens of thousands even million to the Lords work. Being rich is not a sin. Nor is having money, it is “the love of money” that is the root of evil.
The point here is that just because we have money or a place of power we should not get special treatment.
In Mark 12:41-44 Jesus points out that the widow put more into the treasury than all those with wealth had.
The point to be learned here is that, if we are in leadership in the church we should be careful whom we esteem.
In the kingdom of God all are equal irrespective of status.
That it is not necessarily those who can afford to give large amounts that are giving the most in God’s eyes.
And we as individuals should be careful of how fast we go to sit in the place of honour.
As Christians we are called to be humble, to do things in secret without expectation of reward or credit for what we have done.
What are your motives in doing things in your local church. What are your motives in giving. Do you give to get, even if it is just a tax receipt?
Would you still give the kind of money you do to the church if you didn’t receive the tax incentive?
Would you still work for the Lord if you got no recognition at all?
If you are in leadership in your church congregation do you give praise to all those you work with equally?
Would you be willing to wash the feet of those who come to your church?
Think about it.