Attitude

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8 NIV)

In his Bleak House Dickens included a female character who gave her charity only to projects across the seas. She was a hypocrite. She never concerned herself with issues or people with needs near her home. She only practiced a “telescopic philanthropy.”

Of course, telescopic philanthropy is easy to do because we always hear about the big projects around the world. There are tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and fires.  Modern media brings huge disasters right to our living room as soon as they happen. And rightly so, our emotions are stirred. We want to be involved in any way we can.

Basically, I can see only one problem with this scenario. What about the neighbor next door who is out of work? What about the family across the street who is experiencing a great tragedy? What about the group home on your block that needs help to give addicts a second chance? What about the ministries in your church? What about serving that elderly neighbor who needs a ride to the doctor’s office or grocery store?

It boils down to attitude. We can be telescopic or myopic. But we actually need a little of both types of giving. Telescopic philanthropy focuses on needs in faraway places. Myopic philanthropy focuses on needs in our immediate environment. I believe we may conclude that Christ’s attitude would include both. Do the one while not ignoring the other.

Dear Father, thank you for your attitude toward us. Empower us to align our attitude with Christ’s. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN

 Be strong and courageous today with Christ’s attitude,