Page 35 - The Outdoor Showman JAN-MAR 2019

Circus and Showman Chaplain’s Voice of the Church
A LESSON IN SELFLESSNESS
What a picture of the Early Church in Acts 2. The believers were together, everything was held in common; possessions were sold and the money given to those in need. Imagine that today – it’s not really possible, since our ministry is to all and it is our responsibility to pay tax and share in our duty as citizens belonging to a community.
Christians are called to be stewards of time, talent and energy and to give generously to all in need. It’s the regularity of giving that’s the problem. We are moved to support bushfire, flood and tsunami victims, cancer appeals and people who undertake research into terrible diseases.
But regular giving is not on the minds of many. We get on with our usual lifestyle. Children wait excitedly for birthdays, parties and Christmas. And God wants all of us to celebrate life and enjoy these moments, but do the children say‘thank you’and share? Or is the conversation dominated by‘I’,‘me’and‘mine’?
The lord’s invitation to the Kingdom comes to those who have given much by being kind – giving drink to the thirsty, food and clothing to the poor and visiting the sick and imprisoned.“What you did for the least of these, you did for me,” Jesus said.
Reflection:Why should we give? Because God gave and always gives,‘I’,‘me’,‘mine’– God put a stroke through the ‘I’ and made it a cross. Why? John 3:16.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Dr. Barry K. Fletcher
Circus and Showman Chaplain
Rev. Dr. Barry Fletcher is available for Weddings, Funerals, Baptisms, Counselling
and can be contacted on Mob 0401 452 276 and Email fletcher.revdrbarry2@gmail.com
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