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Articles
“Let This Mind Be in You”
(If anyone ever had the mind of Christ in him it was Earl. What a great example he was to all of us. Like Paul in 1 Cor. 11:1 he could say, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” In the coming weeks we will consider more of his articles.—TN)
Paul exhorted the saints at Philippi to “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5), then proceeded to discuss the sacrifice Christ made as He left heaven, took upon Himself the form of man and became obedient even to the death on the cross. In writing to the church in Corinth on the subject of giving he used Christ as the ultimate example of giving as he stated, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Cor. 8:9). In verse 7, he had exhorted them to abound in this grace (of liberality) also.
In exhorting saints to “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” Paul was simply exhorting them to be Christians in the true sense of the word. Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words says this word “Christian” (Christianos) is “a word formed after the Roman style, signifying an adherent (active supporter or disciple) of Jesus.” A disciple is a learner or imitator of their teacher, so as disciples of Christ we are to imitate Him; or as Paul said, “Have this mind in you which was in Christ.” Does our giving indicate that we are true disciples of Christ? Have you even given this thought serious consideration? I’m convinced that relatively few people have. If they have they wouldn’t be satisfied with giving only ten percent – or less – of their gross income. Nowhere in the New Testament are we taught to tithe (give ten percent), and in the Old Testament where tithing was required it was only a portion of their giving. They had sacrifices and offerings that were required in addition to the tithe which was to support the priestly tribe of Levi (see Num. 18:20-24; Neh. 12:44; 13:10-14). When they failed to bring in their tithes and offerings, God said they had robbed Him (Mal. 3:8). Do we rob God? If so, will we “love His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8) when He comes as the righteous Judge?
Brethren, let’s give serious thought to Christ and what He was willing to give for us; and, having done so, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
