Do everything without grumbling or arguing, – Philippians 2:14 (NIV)
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: – Philippians 2:14 (KJV)
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Have you ever done something—a favor for someone, a task at work, a chore at home, your homework—and complained under your breath the whole time you were doing it? I know I have. I may have been doing something “good,” but my heart and my attitude didn’t reflect “goodness” as I went about my work. And I’m sure people noticed. What do you think they thought of me (and Christians like me)? Did they see Christ through me that day? Sadly, I don’t think so.
Throughout Philippians chapter 2 Paul is encouraging the Philippians to imitate Christ (i.e., to be more Christ-like) in all that they do. In verses 2-11 Paul instructs them to be humble and unselfish in their daily lives, then in verses 12-18 he highlights the importance of working with the right attitude (in my family we call this working with a “happy heart”) so they can fulfill God’s purpose. Why is it so important to have a positive attitude as we work? Verse 15 tells us one of the reasons: “…Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” In other words, when we, as God’s children, “do everything without grumbling or arguing” we will stand out from the crowd and people will notice that there is something different about God’s people. God expects us to do everything we do with a happy heart.
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