Unreligious: Week 4 - Day 3
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, let my greatest rewards come from your hand – not man’s, and let my desire to please my heavenly father always be greater than my drive to please man.
3 "’But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,’”
REFLECT:
John Robert Fox was an artillery officer in World War II. His unit was a segregated division for African-American soldiers that fought with distinction throughout the conflict. In December of 1944, his division, the 92nd Infantry, was caught in an intense battle in Tuscany, Italy. The village they were in was being overrun by Nazis and the Americans were in retreat. During the retreat, Fox found a house to hide in and decided to radio for artillery fire to come to their aid…giving his exact position as the target. The gunner who received his message reminded Fox that it was “his” location that he ordered the hit on. Fox realized that and simply replied, “there are more of them than there are of us.” The artillery opened fire on his location. This turned out to be a critical element for the Americans, allowing them to mount a counter-attack and return to that location. When the Americans arrived back at the scene, they found Fox’s body surrounded by over 100 German bodies. Amazingly, Fox was not recognized until 1997 when President Clinton awarded his wife Arlene the Medal of Honor, posthumously.
In this story, it can be safely said that Fox did not consider the rewards of men from the actions he took. His focus was on doing the right thing by saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. God calls us to do many things in this life. When we consider what Jesus Christ’s purpose in coming was, he said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10, NIV). Fox considered how he could save others that day…not how he could be rewarded. What things do you encounter each day that might be opportunities to “do the right thing?” Helping an elderly person put their grocery cart away? Sponsoring someone’s grocery or Walmart order? Assisting someone in picking up a pile of papers that just spilled at the most inopportune time? Taking your neighbor’s empty trash can around back for them? Even just “asking” others if they need a hand? There are countless ways that we can sow into God’s kingdom and bless others…all without receiving an earthly reward. How might you put this into action today?
APPLY:
Giving opportunities are before us every day. What might not be as noticeable are those chances we have to do something good that have no recognition associated with them. Today, as you begin your day, ask God to lead to give to someone else “anonymously.” Some ideas might include: pay for the person behind you in the drive-through line at your favorite fast-food restaurant…but don’t linger waiting for recognition. Perhaps there is a frosted windshield on a car next door to you that needs scraping? What about raking up the few leaves that are past your boundary line, but might help your neighbor a bit? For younger people, wouldn’t it be a blessing to empty the dishwasher, gather the trash or do some other chores without being asked or recognized? You will find, when you do these random acts of kindness, without being asked to do so, you will feel God’s warmth well up inside you, pleasing him. Matthew 5:16, NIV, says, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they might see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven.” The attention and glory go to God! That is the greatest blessing!
CLOSING PRAYER:
Dear Lord, thank you for each gift you have given me to use in furthering your kingdom’s purposes. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)