Have you ever heard that expression “O, for the Love of God…”? I realize that it can be said very flippantly, and I don’t encourage its usage at all, but I wonder, what would life be like if we took that to heart. Or should I say, “if we spoke that from our heart”? For instance, what would you do for the love of God? Would it be any different from what you do because of your love for money? If you give me a chance, you will see that I’m not meddling. Besides that, you can choose not to read this or better yet, read it with a constant affirmation of the nodding of your head and slip in a soft “Amen” every now and then. The folks around you will think that you agree with every word!
Robin bought a $6 pair of shoes the other day so that she could wear more dresses to church. But they didn’t fit and she started stuffing the restaurant napkins into her shoes so they wouldn’t fall of her feet as she made her way to the salad bar. I wanted to help but she declined wearing my shoes in the restaurant. Needless to say, I stopped into K-mart to look for another pair of shoes and was blessed to see that I could buy her another pair for $7. The point that I am trying to make is this: I was going to buy her a pair of shoes whether they cost $7 or $37. If she has a need I try to meet it, no matter the cost. Come to think of it, if I have a need I try to meet it, no matter the cost. You see I figure I pay my tithes and I give in offerings and I even try to bless a few folk outside of church. So, what’s the problem? I think I fall in the category of Christians who think that as long as I “pay my dues” God should leave me alone as for what I do with the rest of my life. C.S. Lewis described us as those who pay taxes but hoped that there was enough left over to pay for that little vacation, buy that motor boat or new dress. You know, we are upright, law-abiding citizens that will pay the tax, only let there be enough left over for me. You know, we are upright, law-abiding Christians and will give God our lives, only let there be enough left over for me.
Jesus’ sobering words come a little too close for comfort; “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what does it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and yet in the end forfeit his own soul?
Let us be all the more determined to love God with all our hearts, souls and minds. For the love of God… let’s do it!