Daily Stop & Thinks

Watch, lest prosperity destroy generosity. (Henry Ward Beecher, 19^th century social reformer)

It’s a puzzle, isn’t it? You would think that the more we have, the more generous we would be. But that doesn’t seem to be the way life really is. Have you noticed that even though some people have a lot of this world’s goods, they don’t seem to share a lot? On the other hand, some folks with very little are the most generous, sharing with others in need. Why is that?

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion (2 Corinthians 9:11).

He is a fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. (Jim Elliott, martyred missionary)

Practical jokes on April Fool’s Day are often silly and comical. Everybody laughs (except for the victim of the prank). But Elliott was speaking of something far more significant—something for which he willingly gave his life. He spoke of the folly of trying to gain riches and fame when both are only temporary at best. He challenges us to value the lasting, the eternal.

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? (Matthew 16:26)

What the mind dwells upon, the body acts upon. (Denis Waitley, motivational speaker)

Our actions are determined beforehand by our thoughts. Occasionally, we may act instinctively without much thought, but that’s pretty rare. Most of the time, we do what we do because we’ve thought about it—whether it’s good or bad. So, it’s very important that we think right thoughts. What and how we think determines pretty much how we act and what we do.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8).

Our responsibility is not change; it quite simply is choice. (Paraphrased from Josh Grill, psychologist)

When we look around at the world’s turmoil, we may wonder what our responsibility is. How can we change society? How can we bring peace to war-torn nations? In reality, there may be little we can do to bring about change elsewhere. But we can make choices that will effect change—first of all in ourselves; then, with those we may influence. It all begins with choices.

[Moses] chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time (Hebrews 11:25).

He who is nearest to God is closest to man. (F. B. Meyer, 19^th-20^th century English pastor))

How can knowing God help us know our fellow man? Is it because God created mankind and knows his makeup? Is it because God sees the thoughts and intents of a man’s heart? Or, is it because God made man in his own image? The more intimate you are with God, the more he helps you to understand yourself and how you can better relate to others.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 11:22).

Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world. (Hans Margolius, 20^th century ethicist)

You can’t get a good reflection of yourself if you’re looking into the ocean or a river or even a lake disturbed by wind or a passing boat. You can gaze into a quiet pond, however, and get a pretty good image of yourself. With no end to the information and images in our minds, we’re often frazzled and confused. To be thoughtful and reflective, we have to quiet down to think.

Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). In quietness and trust is your strength (Isaiah 30:15).

Preconceived notions are the locks on the door to wisdom. (Merry Browne, late athlete)

“Don’t confuse me with the facts; I’ve already made up my mind,” we joke. But it’s no joke. Our prejudices and biases often pre-determine what we think before we consider the evidence. Instead of honestly looking for the truth, we often “discover” what we were hoping to find anyway. Truth is not that elusive; it can be found when we look for it with open minds.

When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth (John 16:13).

A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver. (Thomas A. Kempis, 14^th-15^th century churchman)

Whether it’s Christmas, your birthday, Valentine’s Day, or a surprise, everyone likes to receive gifts. With children it’s the gift that matters, not the giver. Soon after the gifts are unwrapped, they have forgotten who gave them. More mature receivers consider what the gift and the giver means to them. It isn’t the size or the value; it’s the expression of the love of the giver.

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. … We love because he first loved us (John 3:16, 1 John 4:19).

Freedom without moral commitment is aimless and promptly self-destructive. (John W. Gardner, late government official)

Some people seem to think that freedom means they can do whatever they want to do whenever they feel like it and wherever they may be at the time. We teach our children, however, that freedom has boundaries. “Your freedom ends where the other kid’s nose begins.” We must consider the rights of others, their well-being and safety. Granting freedom to those who have no sense of right and wrong would present a danger to everyone.

You … were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13).

It is the best and truest friend who honestly tells us the truth about ourselves even when he knows we shall not like it. (R. C. H. Lenski, scholar and author)

It’s tough to be corrected or criticized, isn’t it? Even when the criticism is right or we need to be corrected. And if the correction comes from a friend, Ouch! But when we recognize that it’s for our own good and will make us a better person or improve our performance, we should be grateful.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted. … Pleasantness of one’s friend springs from his earnest counsel (Proverbs 27:6, 9).

Gratitude can be a vaccine that can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled attitude. (Clinton C. Cox, late preacher)

A lot of people seem to be unhappy, down-hearted and negative much the time. Why is that? Are their circumstances really that different from the rest of the world? Maybe they just need an attitude adjustment. Developing and maintaining an attitude of gratitude will go a long way toward a happy disposition.

Everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:4).

Your Character is what God knows you to be. Your Reputation is what men think you are. ( William Hershey Davis, 20^th century Greek scholar)

Everyone likes to be well thought of. We all want to have a good reputation, and that’s important. But character, ultimately, will determine one’s reputation. If you develop strong character, reflecting virtue and high values, your reputation will demonstrate it. It’s what is inside you that determines the impression you will make on others, whether good or bad.

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).