Being left out!

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:16 NRSV)

Have you ever been left out or has some one you respect not returned that respect? This week promises to be a spectacular week...Easter is coming, Easter Musical is going great, and God is a great God. Yet, tonight someone I respected made a decision that left me out of the game. It is not that big of a deal, but I got to thinking how we as Christians do that more than we should. I also thought of Hebrews 13..."we need to sacrifice for each other."

As a kid, we learned about sharing our toys. Maybe you were playing with your sister, or with your next-door neighbor, and your parents told you to share all your toys with the person you're playing with. Why did they want you to share? There are all kinds of reasons why our parents taught us to share. You share so that the other person can have fun. You share so that the other person won't feel left out and sad. Sharing with others is a way of showing them that we love them, and we want them to be happy.

Back in Jesus' day, Christians shared everything they had with one another. They shared all their food with one another, so that nobody would ever be hungry. They shared their money with one another, so that nobody would be poor. And I bet they shared their toys with one another, so that nobody would ever be left out. They shared with one another because they loved one another. In fact, sometimes the Christians would sell what they had so that they could raise money to help those who were poor around them. That's how much they loved one another. This is what being together in Christ is all about. We can show that kind of love to one another, too. Today, let's think of ways that we can share what we have with others, to show them that we love them, even when they may not reciprocate the feelings or actions.

"Dear God, may I be as generous as you have been generous to me. Amen."
You know I love ya - Don