In 1 Peter 4:10 I read, “God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God’s many kinds of blessings.” (TLB)
What will be the contribution of my life? Will I use my God-given talents and abilities to benefit myself or others? God wired me to make a difference and to make a contribution in this world. I’m not here just to take up space. Based on how God wired me, what is the greatest contribution I can make? How can I make a difference?”
The Good Samaritan is an example of someone who had margin in his life so that he could make a contribution. In the story? A guy was mugged, attackers beat him up, robbed him, and left him for dead. The first guy who came walking by had no margin in his life. He was in a hurry and walked on.
Another walked by. “I’ve got my own agenda. I’ve got my own goals and ambitions. I’m too busy. I don’t want to be associated with that guy anyway.” And he walked past.
Third guy had every reason to pass. But he stopped anyway. He put this total stranger on his donkey, took him to the nearest hotel, and told the manager “You feed him, you clothe him, you restore him to health, and I’ll pay for it.”
When was the last time I helped someone in need? If it’s been so long that I don’t even remember, I probably don’t have any margin in your life. But this guy did. He had the time margin; he left early enough to stop along the way to help somebody in need. He had financial margin; he was able to give away his money. And he had energy margin; he was able to help because he wasn’t stressed out.
Every day, I walk by people I could help. But if I’m either overloaded or only focused on my own life, I can’t stop to help anybody. I can’t make a contribution.
There are only two kinds of people: givers and takers. Which one will I be?
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