Like most folks, I have many acquaintances, a number of friends and a few really good friends. One of my best friends was a Rabbi who I had known for close to 30 years. His name was Abraham Brown and he now rests in the Bosom of Abraham.
Abraham and I spent many an hour discussing various points of theology and other day to day subjects which lead me to secretly wonder if somewhere down deep he didn’t have a little "Christianity" buried under his Jewish roots. His knowledge of the Torah and Old Testament in general far surpassed any instructor I have ever sat under. To top off Abraham’s qualities was his kindness towards everyone and a degree of wisdom that is rare. I will always remember one specific Story he told me from his own experience and life that was full of material any pastor would cherish.
I know the term or concept may seem a little strange to some but Abraham considered himself and "Itinerant Rabbi". He had served a number of synagogue’s but at the age of 70, he felt called to another path. At the time he told me this story he filled in at various synagogue’s for vacationing or ill rabbi’s in a number of western states. One of his favorite duties was as one might say a roving chaplain. He would go where ever he was needed.
I was happy to serve the Lord for many years as a chaplain myself and it was while performing our duties in this capacity that we first met and quickly became good friends. It was while we both were making our rounds at the County Hospital, it’s now referred to as Maricopa Medical Center, in Phoenix that Abraham told me this story.
We were down in the cafeteria having a cup of coffee and actually Talking about some economic issue when Abraham in his usual method of making a point, relayed a story from his early years while still acting as head rabbi at a synagogue in another state.
Abraham’s story goes like this. "One day a wealthy old miser visited me in my study. He had been a member of my synagogue for quite some time and when I call him an "old miser", I use the term because he was exactly that. We talked for a few minutes on some subject I really can’t remember but I decided that now was as good a time as any to try and teach this man a well needed lesson. I took him by the hand and led him to a window. "Look out there," I said, pointing to the street. "What do you see?" "I see men and women and little children," answered the rich man. Again I took him by the hand and led him to the mirror and said, "What do you see now?" "Now I see myself," the rich man replied. Then I said to him, "Behold, in the window there is glass, but the glass of the mirror is covered with silver, and no sooner is the silver added then you fail to see others but see only yourself." If you see self and all the respect and honor others ought to give you, you are on dangerous ground. You won't be able to see others if self is in the image you hold in front of you."
We Christians most often look at this truth from a New Testament perspective but this truth has been with us since Abraham walked out of the city of Ur thousands of years ago. The concept and reality of this truth leads one to really wonder how some people just don’t get it. Unfortunately some don’t and probably never will.
Apparently in Abraham’s eyes and understanding, this man who he was talking about in his story was a prime example of selfishness. Now and thank the Lord, most of us don’t fall into that category but if each of us were to look deep within ourselves would we not find just a little bit of selfishness down in our hearts.
Our Lord understood this when He used Himself as an example of how we should put others before ourselves in John 3:30 He said, "He must increase, but I must decrease". Now of course He was talking about His relationship with God His and our Father but Jesus was teaching those listening to Him that there is in God’s sight a specific relationship that should exist between us also. Just as Jesus recognized that God His Father was more important than He was, (I know this is one of those theological things that can get really sticky at times) we humans need to recognize that although God wants us to understand that yes each of us is important and of value, He, God, wants us to look on others with the understanding that they also are important and have value. God isn’t saying that they are more important than we are. Remember, God is not a respecter of persons. We all hold the same importance and value in His sight.
In 2 Timothy 3:2 Paul writes (1 & 2 Timothy is generally accepted as being written by Paul or if not at least by someone who knew Paul intimately) Paul wrote, "For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy". Paul wasn’t just talking to those of his own time, 2 Timothy 3:2 has resounded down through history to smack us right in the face today. In fact it might be more relevant now than every as we draw close to our Lord’s return.
It’s hard some times to put others before ourselves but that is what we are called to do. We walk in a physical world and our mind is focused on earthly things much of the time. Romans 8:5 "For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit."
Therein lies the key to keeping our selfishness under control. In stead of walking in the flesh so much, spend more time walking in the Spirit. Be more sensitive to the Holy Spirit when He talks to you. Study the Word more. "Pray without ceasing" as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says. Remember, if you are a believer, every step you take, Jesus is either right beside you, in front of you clearing the way, or behind you giving you a gentle push when you need it.
z35W7z4v9z8w
