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Key Bible Verse: Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done (Colossians 2:8). Bonus Reading: Luke 17:11-19

He had incredible potential, a keen intellect, and a passionate heart for the things of God. But his substantial gifting was matched by his brokenness. Although I was mentoring a small community, working a full-time job, and trying to be faithful as a husband and father of two, I was happy to invest in his life. So it caught me by surprise the day he sat me down and told me that I'd let him down. I wasn't giving him enough time.

I considered arguing with him, but realized it would be of no use. So I just took him home. We sat in the living room with my wife, Kim, who has a wonderful way of cutting through everything and getting at the truth. I asked her, "Honey, who do I spend more time with, you or him?"

"Are you kidding?" Kim responded, "I thought you were married to him." The conversation was over. The point I couldn't make was made. He'd been ungrateful for the time I'd given.

Without gratitude, all the investment in the world won't result in wholeness. Thank-fully, this individual had a dramatic change of heart. A de- cade later it's my privilege to know him and be amazed at the level of his servanthood.

—Erwin Raphael McManus in Uprising

My Response: How could I shift from a mentality of entitlement to appreciation for others' investment in my life?

Adapted from Uprising (Word, 2003) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Lord, incline my heart to gratefulness on down days as well as up days.

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