I Don't Care!

"I don't care!" That's an attitude we seem to run into more and more today. So many people just don't care! They are caught up in their own world, their own things, their own desires, and give little (if any) thought to anyone or anything else. Such an attitude of indifference can be an ugly thing. In fact, doesn't it sound rather childish?

However, there is another side to this. Paul was a marvelous example of the Christian Spirit as he approached his ministry. And guess what! Paul had an "I don't care!" attitude. What? Paul? That's right -- Paul! Notice it in his own words.

In his farewell address to the Ephesian elders he said. . .
"(24) But I DO NOT ACCOUNT MY LIFE OF ANY VALUE NOR AS PRECIOUS TO MYSELF, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." ( Acts 20:24 ESV)

And to the Philippians Paul expressed from prison. . .
"(15) Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. (16) The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. (17) The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. (18) WHAT THEN? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice," ( Philippians 1:15-18 ESV)

The thing which made the difference for Paul was he knew what to care about and what not to care about. He did not care about his life, nor about those who seemed to feel they had to compete with him in ministry, just AS LONG AS THE MESSAGE OF CHRIST WAS BEING SPREAD! Paul cared deeply for the lost. He cared greatly for holding to the truth in Christ. He would spend himself and be spent for the sake of the Gospel. ( 2 Corinthians 12:15) He was no "glory hog" either. He didn't care if he was not the one doing all the teaching and baptizing, just AS LONG AS IT WAS GETTING DONE. He was the servant and it was God who brought the increase! (note I Cor. 3:5-8)

What a marvelous picture of a servant who had truly died to self and was living for Christ! May that also be our aim.

Have a great day CARING ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 03/11/1999 (Edited some with passages changed to ESV)]

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See other teEn-MAIL on Selflessness