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Two Perceptions of Accomplishment

The world’s perception of accomplishment is that he who has the most is successful. Having the most money, having the most property, having the most power over others, is the world’s measuring standard for achievement.

God’s perception of accomplishment is just the opposite. He who gives the most, in love, is highly esteemed. What is the greatest giving a person can do? It is to give his or her life for others. The greatest giving the world has ever seen is the son of God, the lord Jesus Christ, laying down his life for all of mankind. Our Heavenly Father so loved that He gave His only begotten son. The result of that giving has produced many sons and daughters for God. Those who have confessed the lord Jesus and believed in their heart that God raised him from the dead have been born again into the family of God. (Romans 10:9).

I Peter 1:3&4:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Romans 8:14:

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Recognizing the value of the price paid, we now live for the Heavenly Father and His son.

II Corinthians 5:15 (Amplified Bible):

And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake.

The response of our living for Him is to give of our time, efforts and money. By giving, we get wonderful results in our life.

Results of Giving

One of the great results of giving is joy.

Even the natural man recognizes the good feeling inside when he gets outside of himself and gives. Unfortunately for most, the quality of joy is not as important as the feeling of having possessions. People feel good as a result of giving large amounts of money to charity, hospitals, zoos, etc. Others will volunteer their time to work at charities, hospitals, or zoos and receive back that good feeling of joy. The motivation is a feeling for the good will of man. But there is a higher motivation, that being, the giving of the lord Jesus Christ.

This is a higher giving that produces a greater joy – the joy that results from Godly giving.

The Joy of Godly Giving

One of the greatest joy producers available to man is Godly giving.

As we serve and give of our efforts, time and money to the Father’s business, we receive back Godly fruit. The Father’s business is to “have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:4).

One Godly fruit is joy. Galatians 5:22a: “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace…”

God and His son wanted us to experience the joy of the Lord. And not only experience it but have it remain in us and that it be full.

John 15:7-11:

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

To have the joy of Christ is quite a prospect to experience. Verse 11 goes on to say, we would not only have His joy, but that it would remain and be full.

In Chapter 17 of John, Jesus Christ is talking with his Father. He prays and says in verse 13: “And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.” What a quality to behold – having Christ’s joy fulfilled in us!

The reality of knowing we are born again of God’s spirit and having the hope of Christ’s return at any moment produces a joyous feeling inside every time we think of it.

Then as we move out in the family business to help others believe, we have great opportunities of joy being produced.

Philippians 2:15-18:

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

Nothing is more exciting and joy producing than to speak the Word of life with the love of God! “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:15). We will have something to rejoice about when Christ comes back because we have held forth God’s Word to others. Also, as we offer ourselves to the service of the saints we joy and rejoice. What a joyous life-style! We can live today and every day serving in the Body of Christ.

Our lives count! Our standard is not the standard of this world, but the standard of God’s Word. The world is not applauding you for your spiritual deeds, but if you help someone “repent” (change their thinking) to get born again, the Bible says angels celebrate in heaven. (Luke 15:7).

As sons of God let’s recognize God’s perception of true accomplishments. We have been enabled with Christ within to give and serve in the family business. The result of such Godly giving is joy. Let’s take the necessary steps to have a fulfilling life with the joy of Godly giving.

- Bob Lindfelt

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