10/1 – Quote of the Day

“We are giving in to the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist Him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with. We are molding Jesus into our image.”

― David Platt, Radical

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9/30 – Quote of the Day

“You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” – C. S. Lewis

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9/23 – Quote of the Day

“I don’t want Him [God] to return and find me sitting in a theater.”
― Francis Chan, Crazy Love

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Don’t be fair (do what’s right)

We have tension around this idea of fairness.  We tell our kids “life isn’t fair.”  But, we cry “foul” when someone gets preferential treatment.  Fairness is giving everyone the same treatment.

But, is that always right?  What happens when we fail to do what we know is right because it isn’t fair? 

It seems counterintuitive.  Out of an effort to be fair, we can fail to do what God has called us to.  If you’re like most, you’ve had a moment when you’ve thought “man, I would like to help him.  But, if I do it for him everyone will expect me to do it for them too!”   You aren’t able to invest in everyone at the level you want to.  So, you end up investing in nobody on the level you know you can.

You can treat everyone the wrong way and still be fair.  But, we can’t always give everyone the right thing.  So, what do you do?  Become overwhelmed and burned out trying to give everyone everything?  Or, retreat away and not do for anyone what you wish you could do for everyone?

God has called you to do great things, to give in great ways, and to change the world – even if it’s just the world around you.

Here are some tips to prevent fairness from interfering with doing what’s right.

• Do for a few
  • Andy Stanley says it this way: “Do for a few what you wish you could do for everyone.”  If we all take this to heart, then nobody will be overlooked.
• Listen to the Spirit
  • God has put His Spirit in every one of His followers.  If you listen, He will give a gentle nudge when to act.
• Explain to those you influence
  • We have a history of people fighting for equality.  We approach situations with unconscious cultural presuppositions.  Without realizing it, some will interpret your attempt to do for a few as prejudice.  Explain this truth, and encourage others to do the same.
• Go deep not wide
  • The tendency will be to do a little for a lot.  This is okay, but choose a few to go really deep with.

At some point, you will have to choose between being fair and being right!  Which will you choose?  Remember, being fair isn’t always the right goal!  

9/16 – Quote of the Day

“Give me five minutes with a person’s checkbook, and I will tell you where their heart is.” – Billy Graham

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9/9 – Quote of the Day

“Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things; to the everyday things nearest to us rather than to the things that are remote and uncommon.” – Booker T. Washington

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9/2 – Quote of the Day

“I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right.” – Billy Graham

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8/26 – Quote of the Day

“Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people he has made?”
― Francis Chan, Crazy Love

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8/19 – Quote of the Day

“No one knows who is listening, say nothing you would not wish put in the newspapers.” – Charles Spurgeon

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8/12 – Quote of the Day

“My biggest fear, even now, is that I will hear Jesus’ words and walk away, content to settle for less than radical obedience to Him. ”
― David Platt, Radical

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