Day 38 - GENEROSITY - Attitude is Everything 

Philippians 2:5-8

    Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  
2 Corinthians 9:6

    A person reaps what they sow… Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:7b, 9 

Daily Consecration Declaration- Read Aloud.   Seedbed’s Wake Up Call

      Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.

      Jesus, I belong to you.

      I lift up my heart to you. 

      I set my mind on you. 

      I fix my eyes on you. 

      I offer my body as a living sacrifice.

      Jesus, we belong to you.

      Praying in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Words matter. In fact, the spoken word is powerful. There is so much said in Scripture about proclamation and the way we speak to one another.  If we had more time, there could be a full week of generosity focused on the value and importance of generous words spoken over others. Kind words of generosity can be transformative and frankly time does not permit contemplating the importance of our words spoken graciously to others. And yet, what matters even more is attitude. Because the right words with the wrong attitude become lifeless, and sometimes even dangerous. Attitude comes from the mind and the heart. Luke 6:45 reminds us that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Equally, our attitude also motivates and shapes behavior toward others.  Having the mindset of Christ Jesus is essential if we are going to be extravagantly generous in a world of mistrust and division.  

READ AND REFLECT on Philippians 2:5-8

      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, humbled himself and became obedient to death, Even death on a cross.

Common attitudes expressed today: “Me First” “I’m right!” “Don’t Tread on Me.” “I don’t feel like it.” “So what?” “That’s your problem.” “It’s my turn!” “I don’t deserve …” “I earned it.” “That’s mine!” “America first!” “I have my rights.” “You’re in my seat.”  “Let me talk to your supervisor.”   

This is the language of our everyday culture.  How often do I find myself thinking or speaking words of self-protection, self-promotion, and self-interest? LOVE GOES FIRST is about self-denial and unselfishness.  It is the opposite of “Me First”. But what about my unalienable right to the pursuit of happiness?  That’s the Constitution - not Scripture. 

Remember these words of Jesus:

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.  Mark 8:34b -35

It is very, very difficult to maintain an attitude like Christ Jesus. But that is the call of discipleship.  

• He gave up his identity, his rights, all that he deserves… 

• He chose to become “nothing”, a “servant”. 

• Then he chose death - even death on a cross. 

REREAD and REFLECT -
What word or phrase stands out to you as you read this aloud? 

      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, humbled himself and became obedient to death, 

      Even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8

I was struck by those opening words:  Your attitude.   I took this as a word addressed personally to me.  My attitude - not the attitude of others - is what needs attention. What in my attitude needs adjusting? What needs to be nailed to and left at the cross today? 

ASK -
Lord, I thank you for your generous surrender which gave me freedom and forgiveness and hope. I want to give that same life to others. Give me the courage to surrender all before you today. 

YIELD -
Lord, I yield my self-focused attitude to you today.  I trust you to provide, protect, and care for my concerns as you deem best. Awaken an attitude of generous surrender in us today.

Lectio 365 daily prayer

      Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to you in every way. 

      Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet. 

      Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.  Amen.

Again, let’s survey the cross with wonder and surrender.