November 10, 2012
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Sunday Devotional: "Shall Not Want"...
The familiar Psalm 23 starts out with a crisp 9 word sentence: "The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want." It's easily interpreted to mean that the Lord will provide for his people. But recently I've been thinking about the beauty of truly not wanting anything from others. So often in our world, we want things from people. And to some extent we do need and deserve love, money, and time in return for our investments in friends and family.
But as an act of selfless charity, it's a beautiful thing to have some people who we only give to and do not take. The look on a rich person's face when they see you do not want their money, or a beautiful person's face when they see you do not demand their love, is moving. There was a brief window in my life when I mastered the art of selfless friendship. There was a sweet joy in seeing how confused people got when they realized there were no ulterior motives, no setup, and no calculations. I also experienced this from a dear friend at the time, and she taught me a lot on the art of giving without expecting. Living without bitterness is difficult for those of us with long memories, but it is beautiful, and it starts by "lending, hoping for nothing again" as Jesus once said.
I don't suggest being selfless to all people at all times. You have a right to certain gifts from certain people (love of a spouse, care of a family, etc.). And burnout can be a problem, when one hand too many lunges for your wallet or clock. But...all I'm saying is, there's a wonderful experience to be had, whether it's giving to a person lower than you who cannot pay you back, or refusing to insist that someone much higher than you on the social scale donate to you.
Comments (13)
"No strings"is true freedom. It has to be experienced to be fully understood, and it is worth the pursuit of the experience.
@Such_are_you - Some of your writings about your interaction with the homeless and prostitutes come to mind here. I wish I could have that time back in my life, when I could truly be that selfless. Ironically, D (from my past post) taught me a lot about selfless service...before all the lying was exposed.
Well said.
“You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” - John Bunyan
@GreekPhysique - I really believe that is the best way to experience what God gives to us. We don't know that God gives this way. God gives with no strings attached, and he lives there awaiting the arrival of his people.
Well said!
I'm sorry. I had some sort of wise observation on this, but then I got to the line about the hand reaching for your wallet or your clock. Suddenly I pictured you in steampunk garb with a tophat and a brass alarm clock in your pocket, and I haven't been able to stop laughing since. Thank you for that gift!
This white dude was having a conversation with me while I was eating. His ulterior motive? He wanted 3 dollars to use a bus. Sigh. People are jerks.
I really like this. I really want to be able to get to the point where I can be completely selfless. I know I'm definitely not there, yet. Lately, I've been noticing that the hardest thing for me to give people is my time.
Love this, very nicely written, and I can definitely relate.
I often recite this verse. It is liberating to not want. What is there to want if our needs have all been met? What more could we possibly ask for? To have nothing and be free from want is the greatest wealth a man could ask for.
your right man,some reason people mistaken it for not wanting,it really means god is watching out for our needs.
@Aloysius_son - "To have nothing and be free from want is the greatest wealth a man could ask for." This was beautiful, brother.
I am working hard on this. It's so easy to feel like I need more, but the Lord is my strength.
I enjoyed this. The 23rd Psalm is one of those chapters that when I was young, I didn't really get, and now can't get enough of.
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