Be Careful What You Take

 

 

Scripture:

 

 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vanity, but humbly regard others as better than yourselves. Look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

— Philippians 2:3–4 (CJB)

 

 

Reflection:

 

 

A brother was telling me this morning about a leak in his front faucet. The water bill showed what he didn’t see—something was flowing that he didn’t intend to lose. I jokingly told him to collect rainwater in a barrel and take it back to the city instead of paying the bill.

 

But the truth is, once the water runs through the meter, it’s counted. You don’t get to return it.

 

And that’s how life works.

 

There are things we take that cannot be given back.

Harsh words spoken in anger.

Trust broken in a moment of selfishness.

Peace stolen by pride.

Time taken for granted.

 

Once it flows out, it leaves a mark.

 

We live in a world that often asks, “What can I get?”

But Christ calls us to something higher: “What can I give?”

 

If we are not careful, we can take more than we realize—from relationships, from friendships, from our marriages, from our brothers and sisters in Christ. And unlike water, you can’t carry it back in a barrel and undo it.

 

 

Encouragement:

 

 

Today, pause and examine your hands.

 

Are they open to give?

Or are they closed, taking more than they should?

 

If there’s something you’ve taken that can’t be returned, bring it before the Lord. Repent quickly. Restore where possible. Ask forgiveness where needed.

 

And moving forward, choose to be someone who gives more grace than you take, more encouragement than you take, more love than you take.

 

Be careful what you take.

Some things can’t be given back.

 

—

 

-Rev Carlos Figueroa

TheFreeBible.Org