But
when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your
Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. – Matthew 6:
3-4
He was one of the toughest men I have ever
met. Still laying brick and block a
decade past the age most men retire, he reveled in watching twenty-year-old brick-layers
sitting exhausted on the sidelines while he continued working. The product of
years of hard labor and a horrible accident as a toddler, his hands were like
vice grips. When he approached you for a
handshake he would say, “Give me three fingers.” I learned early on to only give him two
fingers because if you gave him three, he would break the one in the
middle. Wow! He was strong.
He was dedicated to his tasks, dedicated to his
family, and dedicated to his faith in God.
He was a man’s man. Yet, as I was driving through the Kentucky
countryside a few days ago to preach his funeral, the trait that stood out to
me the most was his remarkable contentment to serve behind the scenes.
Only heaven knows how many elderly couples my
friend helped with projects that they were unable to do themselves. If we knew his volunteer hours at the church,
the number would be staggering. No one knows the amount of young couples he
did a little extra work for without charging
them the extra so they could have a few extra dollars in their pocket as they
were getting started. He was a servant
living out the teaching of Jesus.
Jesus taught that real faith is lived out backstage
- away from the lights, the recognition, and applause of others. True
Christianity reaches out to extend the love of Christ and touches the lives of
others without seeking the approval of man.
The Christian’s service is for
the audience of heaven alone.
Thank you, Austin, for showing how to live like
Jesus with a meek spirit.
Life
Application
How can you make a difference in this world? Serve others in the name of Christ and don’t seek
recognition from others. Be content
knowing that your Heavenly Father is watching you with a big smile on His face.
