But since you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you–see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7
“Christianity for the first time made charity a rudimentary virtue…Besides its general influence in stimulating the affections, it affected a complete revolution in this sphere…For the first time in the history of mankind, [Christianity] inspired many thousands of men and women, at the sacrifice of all worldly interests…to devote their entire lives to a single object of assuaging the sufferings of humanity.”
William Edward Hartpole Lecky (1838-1903) in History of European Morals from Augustine to Charlemagne, vol. 2 (New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1913) 79, 85.
While at the CBMC President’s Council Weekend, Jenni and I are encouraging attendees to be generous with their L.I.F.E. (Labor, Influence, Finances, and Expertise). Today’s post corresponds to “influence.”
The generous influence of early church Christians rooted in grace was unlike anything humankind had ever seen. No other influence matches it today either. There is nothing more beautiful than charity, that is, undeserved kindness. I felt it today in real time.
A service that manages my website security, Sucuri, notified me this morning that it went down. Yikes! Though we played phone tag all day, as I was speaking or in meetings all day, they just got it back online tonight. I don’t think the evil one wants these messages to get out and get shared!
My aim in my teaching today was to celebrate the influence of four NT couples to inspire attendees to live likewise. In Lecky’s words, I hoped to affect “a complete revolution” in their thinking that inspires them to “the sacrifice of all worldly interests.” Based on their feedback, God is at work!
Father in heaven, help all who read this realize that the aim of Christian charity is not to solve the problems of the world, but to reflect your grace to humankind through our otherworldly influence. Make it so by your Holy Spirit I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.