During times of financial crises it is natural to slip into the self-preservation mode. We have a responsibility to provide for ourselves and our families. But what makes Christ-followers different is that our hearts and lives are shaped by the One who renounced self-preservation for the sake of our salvation. He was rich, but became poor so we could be enriched by his sacrificial love. As the people of God, we are called to be a community of radical generosity and hospitality. It is the poor in our city that might suffer most through these days. But, these times will give us amazing opportunities to exercise the radical generosity of the Gospel by giving, not simply out of our surplus, but sacrificially out of our limited resources. We will have amazing opportunities to show the hospitality of God by opening up our homes to those who might lose theirs. God forbid we should think only of ourselves and fail to love our city and those who live in it. But, with the mind of Christ, we will consider others more important than ourselves and look not only to our interest, but to the interest of others (Philippians 2:4).

By friend and colleague, JR Vassar. Read the rest.

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