The crowd cries out "we're number one...we're number one" as they wave a giant foam "1" in the air. Being number one in sports, like business and so much of life, is the end pursuit of many people. Even Christ's disciples picked up the chant. "Which one of us is going to be number one," was their burning question in Matthew 18. Jesus quickly turned their focus off from themselves and their selfish desire for personal greatness and brings them back down to earth. He reminds them that there is more to life than themselves. There are others around them, some with real struggles, that they need to respond to appropriately. He illustrates first with children, by proclaiming that salvation comes when we take a child-like approach to God. Not boasting about who we are or what we have done, but with child-like simplicity acknowledging our dependence on the Lord. Jesus goes on to discuss how to handle a fellow believer who sins against you, then finishes the chapter with a story on forgiving others. The bottom line is this: greatness is not measured by your position in life but by how you treat others. You may have climbed to the top of the corporate ladder, but if you had to step on people to get there, then you are a failure in God's eyes. Even modern secular business books echo the principles of Christ. If you want to succeed, help those around you become great. Do that and you won't need a foam "1".
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Frank Banfill is an author, international speaker, and president of MaxPoint Ministries, whose purpose is to help individuals, churches and ministries reach their full potential. Please forward this blog to your family & friends. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.FranksBibleBlog.com.
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