June 2, 2010
Acts 20
Mike Schwiebert
You may be familiar with the climactic scene in the movie Schindler’s List, where Oskar Schindler is presented with a letter and ring by the 1,100 Jews that he helped to save. Deeply ashamed, he begins to weep, feeling that he could have done so much more. In heart-wrenching desperation, he considers his gold pin and the life it represents, then breaks down while saying, “I could have got one more person and I didn’t. I didn’t...”
This scene resonates with us, because people matter. We have been created to be our “brother’s keeper.” We have been commanded to love each other as Jesus loved us.
Paul has a similar climactic scene with the Ephesian elders, as recorded in Acts 20. His words also serve to help recalibrate our focus. Our life’s work was not meant to end in the pursuit of things like cars and gold trinkets. The target of our hard work should be to help the weak (20:35). All of us can work hard in our own way with the talents that God has given us.
I am challenged by these great men. They are examples that the goal of work is not our own consumption, but to help those around us.
Did you know that Mike's Myers-Briggs personality assessment (INTP) occurs in only 2% of the population?
