Provoking One Another There was a wealthy Christian banker who always tossed a coin in the cup of a legless beggar who sat on the street outside the bank. But, unlike most people, the banker would always insist on getting one of the pencils the man had beside him. "You are a merchant," the banker would always say, "and I expect to receive good value from merchants I do business with." One day the legless man was not on the sidewalk. Time passed and the banker forgot all about him. One day however he walked into a public building and there in the concessions stands sat the former beggar. He was obviously the owner of his own small business now. "I have always hoped you might come by someday," the man said. "You are largely responsible for me being here. You kept telling me that I was a ’merchant’. I started thinking of myself that way, instead of a beggar receiving gifts. I started selling pencils -- lots of them. You gave me self-respect, caused me to look at myself differently." Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. The natural thing for many of us is to see the bad in others and to spread stories about them. Can you imagine the kind of world we would be living in today if we all provoked one another unto love and good works? I remember seeing a t shirt printed with the words “I know I am somebody cause God don’t create no junk!” That is so true God created each and every one of us special. The truth is that a lot of people do not see themselves that way and that is why God brings them into your life so that you can speak into their life and give them that extra push that they need. Are you provoking anyone to love and good works or are you always so ready to crucify people’s character because of a mistake they have made or the station where they are at in life? Remember your words and encouragements are powerful Proverbs 15:4a A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.. I declare that I will look out for opportunities to provoke others to love and good works. I will use my words to encourage and build up and not tear down or destroy. May someone love you more today because they saw you through my actions. Heb 10:24.
Posted on: Mon, 02 Sep 2013 12:59:07 +0000