It Starts Small

What are some words you would use to describe society?

I think of individualistic.

We glorify a culture that is “all about me.” This sort of culture is anything but Christ like.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:35

We can identify who is of the world and who is of Christ just by sitting back and watching the actions of others. Our words can deceive, but our actions speak loud and clear. Not only can we distinguish who is a disciple of Christ, we can also be a participant or a receiver.

 In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Acts 20:35

Are we giving or are we always looking to get?

As we are journeying from the old normal to this new normal, God is challenging us to leave behind the values we once flew on autopilot. These belong to the old normal and He is teaching us to grab a hold of the new normal values. As we leave them behind, we start to pick up the new ones, and they are not just any value, they are values needed for the Kingdom new normal.

My most favorite part of today’s scripture is Barnabas! This is a man who sought out a man named Saul to mentor him. We just met Saul. Saul had a very dark past. He had a terrible reputation among the believers and many were suspicious of him. They rightfully were. After all, this was the man who approved of Stephan being stoned.

Saul’s past did not stop Barnabas. You want to know how amazing this man was? He lived in Jerusalem and traveled over 600 miles to Tarsus, Saul’s hometown, to not only look for Saul, but to take him to Antioch. While they were there for a year, Barnabas mentored him, introduced him to the believer’s community, and helped him develop his ministry!

The Biblical culture is counter-culture. Read that a few times.

In the Kingdom new normal, we are to be intentionally looking to the interests of others.

Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4

Paul, whom at the moment we know as Saul, wrote those words in his letter to the Philippians. Do you suppose he put his pen down for a moment and reflected upon how this man, named Barnabas, looked after Paul and did not think of his own interests? Remember, friends, love always points outward.

Just like Saul, I am a beneficiary of other’s sacrificial love. I am who I am today because of the people who sought me out and invested in me. I know I did not deserve their time, patience, or help, but I am forever grateful for what they did.

Friends, who are you blessing today?

Are you asking “what is in it for me?”

The answer is: the beauty of your sacrificial love is that NOBODY will know it is you behind the scenes!!

Our God in heaven knows exactly what you are doing in secret. You will find a kind of satisfaction that no one can explain.

So who are you blessing today??

Thoughts to Ponder:

• Who in your life has been a blessing to you and how?
• Who can you extend help to today?

© Kimberlee Smith 2025 http://www.itstartssmall.com All rights reserved.