You've heard people say that. What do they mean? Usually they are asking for some consideration of their position. People who say that are asking you to put yourself aside and serve their needs.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about the church as a body, with each part doing its job. Think of the heart's selfless service. It beats 24 hours a day. It's there when you need extra power. Even when you are at rest, it beats, keeping the body functions going. With every beat it takes and gives, takes and gives. Of all of the blood the heart distributes each day, it takes a precious little to run itself. It serves more as the conduit of life for the body.

The Christian who has a heart for God's world serves in the same way. Such a person receives and gives, receives and gives, needing precious little to live on compared to what passes through to the world. That person serves as a conduit of life for the church. And Scripture assures us that God makes sure that a Christian with heart has plenty coming in to give.

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