A Lifestyle Of Selflessness

We just crossed over a season when we remember the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ for mankind on the cross of Calvary. So many celebrate this period without realizing that the sacrifice Jesus Christ made was not meant to be a show to be commemorated but a lifestyle to be imitated if we claim to believe in Him and are following after: A lifestyle of selflessness! It means, it should not be a once in a year remembrance day but a daily reminder of what we have been called to be and to do. The sacrifice of Christ on that faithful day was meant to be a standard for all mankind that will come to receive and believe in Him. From Genesis to Revelation and in nature, everything that God created gives; no matter how little or insignificant the creature may be; only amongst humans one would find those that would rather be takers than givers. Giving selflessly is not optional but mandatory! Pause and let’s consider for a moment the widow of Zarephath in 1Kings 17:8-24. The amazing thing about this account is that the woman is not an Israelite and she was poor. But it pleased God to have sent His servant Elijah to her for preservation since there was famine in the land. The woman obeyed a man she had never met before or a God she does not serve, yet she gave her all! One could only imagine what must have been going through her mind as she gathered the few sticks to go prepare the last meal for herself and her son. Just like many of us, she may have prayed, hoped and wished something will happen that will change the course of the events that were about to unfold in her home. She got an answer to her prayers, but the answer required her releasing everything and holding on to faith based on the words of the man of God. Let’s imagine we are in the same situation, how would we have reacted to a man we have never met before say to us in such dire circumstances: “…Elijah called to her and said, ‘Please bring me a little water in a cup and let me drink.’ As she went to get it, he called to her and said, ‘Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand’” (1Kings 17:10b-11)? When she replied she doesn’t have enough to feed the man of God and her family, she proceeded to obey when Elijah declared: “For this is what the Lord God of Israel says: ‘The flour jar will not become empty and the oil jug will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land’” (1Kings 17:14). Her unwavering faith was commended by the Lord Jesus Christ in Luke 4:25-26.

Friend, as we wait for the Master’s return, we must walk selflessly as this widow did. Despite the condition of her family and the famine in the land, it did not deter her from obeying the Lord by releasing ALL that she had to Him. Unfortunately, in this end time, one of the prevailing attitudes of mankind is selfishness. The Lord warned us about this in 2 Timothy 3:2, that people in these times will be lovers of themselves. The widow’s selflessness earned her life for herself and her son; if she had refused they would have perished. If we truly desire to live for Christ and reign with Him when He comes, we must learn to give selflessly. Friend, you may just be the solution to the issues that are confronting you. One major lesson from the account of the widow can be summarized thus: You Give You Live, You Don’t Give You Die. The woman gave; she not only lived but was equally blessed in return. May the Lord open your eyes to see His demand upon you and may He strengthen you to release that which He needs from your hand in Jesus Christ name. God bless you.