Today I read a common simple verse which lead me in a different direction of thought:
"Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven..for where your treasure is there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:20-21
I went to the 'non-compete clauses' that some employers still use to keep employees from working with the competition. Non-compete clauses or contracts have been around since the 1400s in legal terms...but much earlier in biblical terms.
Scriptures talk about the competition for our heart and other's who try and take away our honor, love, voice and strength.
-Jesus advising the rich man in Matthew 19:21 to sell his riches and be in ministry with him. The man cannot do it. He leaves sorrowful.
-Haggai's words ask are you satisfied with your food, drink, clothes? Are they enough to make you happy? Or are you still hungry, thirsty, cold? Haggai 1:6
The competition in this world for our time, money, and self worth are constant. They are not going to ever stop competing for you. So when will you sign the non-compete clause?
God's non-compete clause is really rather simple. Love God, Love Neighbor.
It is not a list of things you must have. There are no shopping lists involved, black Friday's, or 401Ks. Just Love.
Sign the "non-compete clause' for your heart this Thanksgiving. Act on it perhaps in these ways
-invite people to your home you don't know. Sadly many of us don't know our neighbors - begin there. Neighbors are those that live around you both at work, play and where you live. You will see them if you slow down. People who are there being ignored by us every day. Serve a meal to them as if it were a king at your table.
-go serve others at nursing homes, veteran's hospital, homeless shelters, dog pounds
-clean up the neighborhood, pick up trash,
-write letters of encouragement
Each of us have our own way of serving and loving.
This picture is of my mom who loved to serve people at her table. She is holding the cake and her friend Pauline is holding the coffee pots. Two coffee pots why? I have No idea but these women knew how to be ready to feed 2-100 people at a time. May I learn to serve as generously as they did!
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