The Light of the World (Matt 5:14-15)

When I worked for UPS, there was a big discussion about the company's philanthropic activities.  They gave away not only a lot of money, but resources too.  In fact, the company would give time off for whole departments to go do volunteer work together.  The interesting thing was that UPS had a policy of not calling attention to their philanthropic work.  Their policy was to give, but not let anyone know they were giving.  Then a new generation of executives came along who were not so sure they liked this policy.  They felt that if other companies knew what they were doing that it would challenge other companies to do likewise.  It also wasn't bad for publicity.  It would make the company look like the good guys.  It would attract employees with like minded values.  Getting word out there didn't really seem to have a down side.  It showed the world what they were made of.  UPS' policy remained unchanged while I was there, but recently I saw UPS' name in big letters as a sponsor of the Toys for Tots Literacy Program.  So I guess they have finally decided to let their light shine.

Matthew 5:14-16  "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." 


Mark 4:21-22  He said to them, "Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? 


Luke 8:16  "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.

Do people know you are a follower of Jesus?  Are you "out from under the bowl, the jar, the bed?"  Living in a glass house professing your faith in Jesus gives light to everyone in and out of the house (as long as your faith is really being lived out).  Let your light shine!