Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5
“A more glorious victory cannot be gained over another man than forbearance, that when the injury began on his part, the kindness should begin on ours.”
John Tillotson in Day’s Collacon, compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 294.
In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians, a context where people like Euodia and Syntyche would not get along with one another, he called for forbearance.
We don’t hear this word often in the States. Perhaps that’s a sign that our society needs more forbearance. It’s a combination of gentleness, patience, and mercy. It graciously holds back what may be deserved.
Recently I have heard a person who had been wronged by another say, “I am going to sue that person!” What if instead, when wronged we proclaimed with forbearance, “I am going to show kindness to that person!”
That’s what God did for us. He showed us mercy, forbearance, and kindness to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:1-4). Let us generously extend the same kindness and forbearance toward others and likewise aid them.
I don’t know about you but this exploration of kindness is killing me…in a good way! It reveals to me that it is easy to be generous with money or time, but it is much harder to die to selfish human tendencies.
Only when we die to this former way of living are we transformed into the likeness of Christ. Only then do we become conduits of God’s kindness and generosity. That’s what He desires for us. Have your way in us, LORD.
Today I deliver a workshop at Gathering First Fruits: National Summit on the Economics of Ministry on my book, Faith and Finances: A Stewardship Curriculum for Schools and Churches.
There are hundreds of people here. I’ve been blessed to see many friends here too. More than I can mention. And, I’m encouraged as a good group has registered to attend my workshop. Pray for receptive hearts today.
I am excited that one of my former Northern Seminary students, Eddie Smith, Sr., now a pastor of a church here in Indianapolis, will share in my workshop how the content shaped his life and the culture of His church.
Eddie was the student that insisted I create a workbook for individual study and for small groups at churches. His passion inspired the publishing of Good and Faithful: Ten Stewardship Lessons for Everyday Living.
The curriculum is for pastors and professors. The workbook and videos that stream freely is for every person on the planet. Seriously, fellow stewards in places like the Philippines, Egypt, and Australia have gone through it.
I commend it to everyone, everywhere, and encourage churches all over the world to use it as a tool for growing good and faithful stewards. Have you gone through it? Click the link above to check it out.
Don’t miss the message of today’s post with the details of my travel and service! When wronged, as followers of Christ, let us return kindness. That’s forbearance! It’s the power of good that overcomes the evil around us.