A Matter of Perspective

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  --Phillipians 2:3-4

The coming of Christ changed the world.  It opened up the vision of a world where people could be thoughtful, could be generous; where we could imagine a world where everyone put the needs of someone else first.  Christ gives us an image of a new world where giving is at the center.

This vision cannot arise out of a pure force of will, or out of an idea of - "Hey, that's a nice thought," but it must arise out of the renewing and rebirth of one's heart and spirit.  The Holy Spirit needs to be allowed to take hold of you and transform your perspective from a "isn't that a sweet thought," to "this could work."  

Sadly, Christians who adopt the generous attitude get labeled as nutty gullible people.   Admittedly, a lot of those living with the old spirit of selfish ambition will take advantage of generosity.  This does not take away from, or make thoughtful generosity not worth pursuing.  It only raises the question of why hasn't Christ's message been heard?  Where does His Word still need to infiltrate?  Who can instill this Word to the hurtful and hurting world?  And the larger question is, out of which perspective are you living your life?