Depreciated Asset
Theme of the Week: Gratitude Attitude
Erwin Raphael McManus
Monday, November 22, 2004
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Key Bible Verse: Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done (Colossians 2:8). Bonus Reading: Luke 17:11-1
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.
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Lord, incline my heart to gratefulness on down days as well as up days.
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