Disinterested Benevolence

I am part of a Wednesday prayer group that’s on a journey – finding ways to be effective witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ, in a post-Christian, highly-skeptical, religion-averse, and non-committal society. You know the culture, and possibly deal with one on a regular basis. How could the gospel of Jesus penetrate the padlocked and heavily guarded souls of this world?

Our study brought us a glimmer of hope, with one special quality in contemporary society – people are very relational. Folk long for connections that are genuine, respectful, empathetic, relaxed, and selfless.

In considering the last word ‘selfless’, I remembered a compelling statement from Ellen White about the Lord Jesus Christ: “His life was without selfish interest, but ever marked with disinterested benevolence.” (EW:269)

Disinterested benevolence. It is not a common phrase because it is not common. Generally, people are looking out for themselves first: What’s in it for me? Is it within my comfort zone? Will it make me look good? Etc.  But Jesus – gave and served selflessly, with no hooks or ulterior motives, requirements, or personal benefits.     

O, to become like Jesus, continually offering disinterested benevolence wherever we are. You see, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

Jeba Moses