ONE: FCA Reading Plan For CompetitorsSample

Complainer or Contributor?

By Rex Stump

READY:

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” – Philippians 2:14-15

SET:

In Mark chapter 2, Jesus heals a paralytic on a mat who has been dropped through the roof of a house. When reading this story, it’s easy to skip over some important verses because, like the crowd in the house, we’re totally amazed with the whole scene. But verses 6-7 says, “But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, ‘What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!’” 

These religious men were not amazed nor were they excited. They were just sitting there complaining! Instead of finding joy in new life, healing and exuberant teaching, they just sat there and whined to themselves. Instead, as representatives of God, they should have been contributing to His Kingdom by…

• contributing not complaining.  

• praising not protesting.

• commending not criticizing.

• giving not grumbling.

Do we sit in the stands and complain about the coaches or the referees? Do we sit around the dinner table and complain about our teachers? Do we sit in the living room complaining about our classes, our church or the government? It's not always easy to avoid being a complainer, but do we really find joy in a complaining lifestyle? I don't think so. So, let's encourage one another today to stand, contribute, commend and give God praise!

GO:

1. Would you identify more with the religious leader or the one being healed in Mark 2?  

2. Are you a complainer or a contributor? 

3. How can you make a habit of contributing with positive words?

WORKOUT:

Philippians 2:14

I Thessalonians 5:11

2 Timothy 4:2

OVERTIME:

“Heavenly Father, forgive me for being a complainer. Your works are mighty and amazing. Give me the power to speak powerful and encouraging words. Thank You for all that You have given me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”