Sunday's Devotion

Sunday, February 29, 2004

But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you.
(Luke 14.10 NRSV)

A group of men was attending a Promise Keepers rally at the Georgia Dome. As they walked by the great recreation center in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, one of the men said, "You know it is a shame to tear down such a fine building." Someone else asked, "Are they really going to level it?" The answer was that it was coming down. Then someone asked, "Why are they going to destroy such a fine facility?" The answer was, "Because it does not have enough suites." Then someone asked, "Why do you need suites in a sports arena?" The answer was, "Many of the affluent people will not support a team unless they can sit and watch the game in a suite. You see people will pay any price if they feel they are getting the best seat in the house."
The President of a small Christian college tells of a man named Bill who served on the Development Council of the college. As a member of the Development Council Bill gave $1,000 a year to the college. The members of the Council were pleased to have Bill's wisdom and his annual gift. However, one morning the president of the college was shocked as he picked up the paper to find Bill had given the State University a one million-dollar gift. The president called Bill immediately and asked why the State University received such a gift instead of their Christian college. This was Bill's explanation. "I was tempted and gave in. They offered to make me a guest of honor at a dinner with the President of the University and with the Governor. I came to a football game with the President and with the Governor, escorted by the police. I sat in the suite with them during the game." They got his money by giving him the best seat in the house.
The desire for the best seat in the house is a strong desire in each of us. Each of us can think of many examples where we were offended because we felt like we were overlooked. And what often eats at us is that other people have better seats.
Loving God, help me to be content with the seat you have given to me. Amen.
Ron Newhouse

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