Key Bible Verse: I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19). Bonus Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

Aung, a Christian leader in a Southeast Asian nation, had urged his fellow believers to demonstrate Christ's love by helping their neighbors. One night he awakened at 4 a.m., sure that the Lord was telling him to pray for the Buddhist monks in a local monastery. He did so. Soon he learned that these monks lacked food. The donations they depended on had been insufficient.

Aung asked other believers to donate rice for the monks. Some retorted, "No, let them die and go to hell!" But he persisted, collected half a sack of rice, and presented it to the senior Buddhist monk. The astonished monk asked if he was attempting to convert him to Christianity. "No," my colleague replied, "I'm just obeying Jesus' instructions to love my neighbors."

A week later the second-to-senior monk came to Aung, asking to learn about Jesus. My friend told him the Good News. After another week the monk reappeared, saying he needed a new set of clothes. "Why?" asked my friend. "Because I'm going to leave the monastery," he replied. "I want to be a Christian." Aung prayed with him to begin life in Christ. Several months later my colleague heard that this former monk had introduced 20 others, including three monks, to Christ.

—Bob Moffitt in If Jesus Were Mayor

My Response: How would I respond to Aung's actions if no spiritual fruit were apparent?

Thought to Apply: Christianity demands a level of caring that transcends human inclinations.—Erwin Lutzer

Adapted from If Jesus Were Mayor (Monarch, 2006) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

You said, Lord, that as we serve those in need we encounter you. Allow me to experience your presence as I represent you.

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