humble and thankful

It really bothers me when my boys fight over toys, bicker over whose turn it is on the computer, wrestle over who gets to sit in the "best" chair at dinner, the list could go on and on.....  

I remind them that we have SO MANY toys.  I tell them that it is a privilege, not a right, to play on the computer.  I make the observation that one chair only seems best because they are all fighting over it, but that the chairs are really all the same.  And of course, I tell them that they shouldn't be selfish, but kind to one another.  After all, they are brothers!  And nothing makes their mother happier than when my boys are playing together.

Paul really does have the heart of a father toward the church.  Listen to his words in Philippians 2:1-4:

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?  Any comfort from his love?  Any fellowship together in the Spirit?  Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.  Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don't look out for only your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

It occurs to me this morning that sometimes we who are the church of Jesus act like children.  We bicker over who gets to be first, or whose way is right.  We wrestle one another for authority, and fight for our own interests.  Forgive us Lord!  Paul is gently reminding us to consider the riches we have in Christ (kind of like me saying "you have so many toys, why can't you be generous").  In Christ we have encouragement, comfort, love, fellowship with GOD!, tenderness and compassion.  Will we receive all that and then turn around and demand our own petty way?  Or will we offer all that Jesus has given to us to one another?  Lord, help me to be humble and thankful, and to think of others as better than myself.  And help my boys too!