Warning: Venting

I truly do not know how some believers use other believers for financial, material, sympathetic or social gain.  

Why do believers think it's ok to use other believers?  Where is the humility among the church?   Where is the being a giver, not a receiver, among the church?  Why do believers always expect for others to do for them- and yet not do anything for others?  Why do some believers expect to be served and not serve others? I see so many believers out there ministering to others, living humbly.  But I also see a lot of believers- and it's all about them- financially, materially, emotionally and physically.  They actually take from the body of believers and not really giving to them.  

I guess, when I go to the Scriptures, and see Jesus- this is what I see:

He emptied Himself.
He humbled Himself.
He surrendered Himself, even from self-protection.
He didn't defend Himself.
He was rejected.
He had NO possessions.
He was unloved.
He was misunderstood.
He was weakened physically.
He gave us His right to be right.
He was stripped.
He was shamed.
He thwarted a rescue attempt.

He is also the Good Shepherd.  He is also lovingkindness.  He is also gentle.  He loves children.  He never used anyone for personal gain.  He never manipulated anyone.  

He knew the things of this world has NOTHING on what is to come.  

A lot of people call Matthew 5-7 the sermon on the mount.  But as Michael Wells says it's so much more- it's life on the mount.  The way, we as believers- whom Christ lives within- lives.  

It's not about gaining more worldly stuff.  It's about allowing Christ, who is my Life, live through me.  Believers today are told that we are successful if we have more stuff and do more things.  Friends, that's a lie.  

It's not about gaining worldly treasures.  It's about gaining heavenly gifts.  Those are the things that we have in this world and the next.  We WILL take with us.  The heavenly gifts are not the ones we keep for ourselves but give to others.

Jesus is our indescribable gift!  And all good gifts come from Him.  Justification, grace, redemption, righteousness, salvation.  

The Holy Spirit is a gift and He distributes His gifts- spiritual gifts.   

These gifts are giving NOT FOR OURSELF but the building up and edification OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, the CHURCH.  

1 Corinthians 12
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

Believers, we only have a short time on this earth- be who God created you anew to be.  Don't live for this world.  Live from Him.