Monday, April 10, 2006

Quote for the day

“Being a messenger of Jesus does not grant any personal rights; it does not entitle one to respect or power. That does not change even when the free messenger of Jesus has turned into an official pastor. The rights of a man with a university education and the privileges of social standing are no longer valid for anyone who has become a messenger of Jesus. ‘You received without payment!’ Or was there something else which attracted us besides the call of Jesus which took us, who did not deserve it, into his service? ‘Give without payment.’ Let it become clear that with all the riches you have to give, you covet nothing for yourselves: no property, but also no respect or acknowledgment, not even gratitude! From where would you get such expectations? Any honors we claim for ourselves are stolen from him to whom they rightfully belong, the Lord who sent us out.”—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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