Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
“Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good actions: try to use ordinary situations.”
Jean Paul Richter (1763-1825) on “Benevolence” in A Dictionary of Thoughts, edited by Tryon Edwards (Detroit: Dickerson, 1908) 39.
Today is Giving Tuesday, an extraordinary day on we are bombarded with reminders to make charitable gifts. If God has supplied you with resources to share, then give to things He cares about.
The danger of days like today is that our minds equate generosity with “extraordinary circumstances” rather than “ordinary situations” which is the venue in which we live most of our lives.
Last night I flew to Chicago to do some coaching and teaching at Northern Seminary today. They needed some help, and I had the bandwidth to assist. I’d appreciate your prayers for fruitful meetings.
Carrying the burdens of others in “ordinary situations” does not always come easy for me. It takes intentionality to focus on the needs of others rather than what I am doing (cf. Philippians 2:1-11).
In the early 1800’s, thoughts like today’s post helped people focus on doing good and bearing the burdens of others. That’s great advice for us today too, and it fulfills the law of Christ!