The May 26, 2008 edition of Jet Magazine featured an inspiring article about Kemba Smith (pp. 56-58), a former felon turned motivational speaker. Smith was a brilliant young woman with a bright future, but her life took a drastic turn in 1994. She was arrested and sentenced to 24.5 years in prison for her involvement with a high-profile drug dealer in southern Virginia. By GOD’S grace, Smith received clemency in 2000, and she’s been on a mission ever since. She currently speaks to youth – through her Kemba Smith Foundation – to help them make good choices. In other words, she uses her blessing (freedom) to bless someone else.
When GOD blesses you, it’s right to bless others. That’s David’s message to his troops in today’s text. David and crew had recently defeated the Amalekites, but his warriors refused to share the spoils with their kinsmen who didn’t fight. Their attitude was selfish – they felt their kinsmen shouldn’t enjoy something they didn’t work for. But David reminded them that selfishness wasn’t the way – they were blessed to be a blessing.
GOD blesses each of us with life and gifts, so make sure you use them to benefit others. The good news is that when you give, GOD will give back to you. And, you’ll be following JESUS’ example; as HE once said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, New Living Translation).
Live with others in mind …