Profit
Today’s Scripture Selection: Titus 3:8
“This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.”
Ask people about what the word “profit” brings to mind – and many will start talking about money.
But Scripture talks about profit in terms of doing what is good.
We are likewise counseled to:
- Avoid foolish controversies
- Avoid divisiveness
- And avoid divisive people
That’s pretty strong language, to be sure.
Still, it gets at the heart of how, by doing good, and avoiding divisiveness, our community, our church, and our world can clearly profit – as can we.
It strikes me how often in the world, when you dig down to the source of some very bitter conflict; you find controversy and disagreement – often about money or worldly profit of some type.
As the old adage goes, “follow the money” if you want to get at the heart of motivation for many people.
But turn that on its head, define profit in different, altruistic terms, and it is quite a different picture.
Charity, sacrifice, love – these are the hallmarks of “profitable” activity like this.
How the world – and we – might benefit – even made “rich” – spiritually speaking – if we all remembered this more often.
Prayer: Lord, may I be a profitable servant of yours, by doing good in your name. AMEN.
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By Paul Simrell
The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program.
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
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