Hosting the Academy Awards is all about putting on a show. Some of the best hosts of all time include Neil Patrick Harris, Johnny Carson, and Donald Duck.
Yes, Donald Duck. The animated barnyard animal co-hosted the show in 1958 with Bob Hope, Jack Lemmon, Rosalind Russell, and James Stewart.
They shared the limelight, and as a team, they stole the show.
Donald didn’t do it alone. That would have been a disaster. Who wants to watch a solitary duck parade across the stage? Neil Patrick Harris involved everyone: he danced with a crowd. Johnny Carson? He did his Johnny thing, pulling the audience in and making them part of the team.
How can we work together and present Christ to the world?
Our first step is to share. Acts 20:35 says:
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Then we share again. Hebrews 13:16 reminds us:
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
When we share, we should do it without bringing attention to ourselves. Matthew 6:2 tells us:
“When you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.”
We can’t hold anything back. Luke 21:1-4 makes our duty clear:
“Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’ ”
We share with a smile. 2 Corinthians 9:7 encourages:
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
We don’t share just when convenient. Luke 12:33 instructs:
“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.”
Our giving tells the condition of our heart. 1 John 3:17 sees with God’s eyes:
“But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?”
We can be assured that God is our investment officer. Proverbs 19:17 tells us to be confident in our giving:
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”
Neil Patrick Harris came onstage in his skivvies. Donald Duck danced across a screen. Johnny Carson brought down the house.
What have we done to show God that we care about the people we share this world with?
If it’s all about us, it’s not about God; and if it’s not about God, then we don’t have Jesus in our heart.
Copyright © 2016 MyChurchNotes.net
Originally posted in Relationships on 3-21-16