Responsible Leadership

"Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them—this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12 (HCSB)

1. Should limits/restrictions be placed on lifestyle choices and resource usage in third-world countries who are becoming technologically advanced while simultaneously growing in population?
2. What kind of example are we showing as Americans (specifically as Christians in America) with our lifestyle choices of natural resource usage to the rest of the world?

Everyone knows the epitome of bad parenting is the statement, "Do as I say, not as I do". It is the height of hypocrisy to direct others to actions that we are unwilling to undertake. It is also hypocritical to pay lip service to what we say is important, but not follow through with actions to back up our words. Jesus said, "But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?" Luke 6:46 (HCSB). He then goes on to share the parable of the houses built on rocks and sand. A wise person not only hears and understands, but takes the appropriate actions. This is the person who builds his house on the rock. A foolish person hears and understands, but chooses to do as he pleases regardless. This is the person who builds his house on sand.

For generations America has chosen to build her house on the sand of growing ecological disaster. I gratefully acknowledge that the United States has taken great strides toward a more environmentally friendly national posture. However, much remains to be accomplished. How can we play the part of global police and direct others to act, when we ourselves have acted just as bad in the past? Developing countries are growing through the same issues that we dealt with a generation ago, and are causing the same environmental damage that we did. I agree that we can provide valuable assistance and knowledge to these countries; knowledge we have learned through many mistakes. Some limits on how developing countries use natural resources are needed and desirable in my opinion. I'm sure those countries would have opposite opinions. In fact, most of those countries probably resent the United States trying to be the world police over so many issues. But before we will gain any legitimacy before the world regarding the environment, we must do more to clean up our act environmentally.

Christians that are serious about stewardship must lead the way. We must educate believers, and the entire population, to environmental dangers and practical solutions. WWJD? What Would Jesus Do? What would He do regarding environmental issues? What would He do regarding stewardship of His creation? What would Jesus drive? A gas-guzzling SUV? A foreign-made economy car? What lifestyle choices would he make to protect the environment? How does Jesus view our use of natural resources?

I never liked the WWJD fad. It is impractical. Often Jesus would do something that I could never do. He is the Son of God; I am not. We should instead ask, "What Would Jesus Have Me Do?" This is a question we should apply to every facet of our lives, including stewardship of the environment.

BSFL Life Truths Sunday School commentary for the week of March 21, 2010

Selfish?     1 Corinthians 8,10

When believers insist on their own rights with no thought of how their actions will bring glory to God, the body of Christ suffers. Love for fellow believers and the pursuit of God's glory trump every right we have as Christ-followers. Therefore, we must evaluate all our perceived "rights" in terms of how they impact our fellow believers, and how they bring glory to God and advance His Kingdom purposes.

The issue in view at the church at Corinth was eating meat that had been offered to idols. For those with a history of idol worship before coming to follow Christ, they had vivid memories of pagan sacrifices and the demonic spirits often associated with such sacrifices. Naturally, they wanted to distance themselves as much as possible from all former pagan practices. For them to eat meat purchased in the marketplace that had been sacrificed to idols was a gross stain on their faith in Christ. Other believers viewed this issue from a logical standpoint and knew that dead idols can have no effect on meat. The meat was just meat and was perfectly acceptable to eat.

The problem was not as much with the meat as it was with attitudes. Those who knew they could eat the meat without sin were puffed up with their knowledge, and prideful, viewing the other believers as immature and weak. They lorded their superior knowledge over the others. The believers who could not in good conscience eat the meat saw the others as sinful and loose in their standards. Who is right? Who needs to give ground?

While we have few arguments over meat these days, there are plenty of other issues that believers get hung up on. You can probably name a few right now. How would you evaluate your choices as they relate to their impact on the spiritual growth of others? Many believers do not consider their actions or how they affect others. They insist on having their way with no consideration for others at all. The video below is a comical yet accurate portrayal of their actions.

Do you live your life in a way that benefits others and brings glory to God? Or do you stubbornly insist on having things your own way and pleasing yourself? Your answer indicates who is more important - Christ or yourself. If Christ is more important, we will only act in a way that brings others to Him and pleases Him. Our own desires and rights do not matter in light of our allegiance to Him. After all, think of all the rights Jesus gave up to be the sacrifice for our sin?

Christians at different levels of spiritual maturity will always see things from varying perspectives. We cannot focus our energy on arguing over who is right. For the sake of unity and Kingdom advancement we must instead focus on giving way in love and submission. Let the following Scriptures speak for themselves. May they be our guide in Christian liberty and responsibility.

"Now when you sin like this against the brothers and wound their weak conscience, you are sinning against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to fall, I will never again eat meat, so that I won’t cause my brother to fall."  1 Corinthians 8:12-13 (HCSB)

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. Give no offense to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."  1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (HCSB)

"For although I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. To those who are outside the law, like one outside the law—not being outside God’s law, but under the law of Christ—to win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, that I may become a partner in its benefits."  1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (HCSB)