“Making The Choice That Benefits Others!”

“Making The Choice That Benefits Others!”(Phi.1:21-26).
When given the opportunity to make two choices, first choice is always the priority and second choice is if the first fails.
In a certain community there was a boy whom the villagers considered a numbskull because he was not able to distinguish between a 50 frs coin and a 25 frs coin. The villagers were fond of making fun of him by presenting him with 50 and 25 frs coins. They will ask him to point at 50frs, but that whichever coin he pointed at, correctly or incorrectly will be given to him. This lad always pointed to a 25 frs coin, claiming it was 50frs. One day an old man took him aside and asked with some vexation why over time he was not able to distinguish between the two denominations of coins.
The boy’s reply took the old man unawares. He told the old man that he knew the difference, but he had also realised that people made fun of him becausee he pointed at the wrong coin and as a resul, he kept collecting his 25frs coins. He said the moment he points at the right coin, the fun will stop and he will lose his source of income. The story is an example of intentionally making a second choice a priority, not considering the advantages of the first choice.
Sometimes, for the sake of others and for their good, we have to give up the priorities which would have benefited us.
The apostle Paul tells us that he gave up such an important priority for the benefit of the flock he was nourishing. Paul was facing some rough times in his incarceration when he told the Philippian brethren: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.”
The little boy in our story above clung to a second best for selfish reasons, but Paul prefered a second option for the good of the Philippians. As believers we must at all times be ready to give up our best but egocentric priorities and go for that which benefits the majority!
We all love to be with Christ Jesus, but our motive may be selfish. At the time we want to be with him, he wants us alive for the purpose of nurturing others to maturity in the faith.
Live for Christ Jesus and not pursue your gain!
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit help me to forego my selfish preferences for the sake of others. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.