I Consider Love as Wealth

I met today with George Robertson, the pastor of First Pres, where I work my day job. I asked him if he came across anything of value for a new, young pastor in his reading to feel free to recommend it to me.

He immediately grabbed something from his desk and said he did have something. He told me it dealt with handling criticism, which he was sure I had not heard any, but told me I could make a copy. I read it as soon as I got back to the office and thought I would post it hear on my blog for you all to read.

Now, I will be the first to  admit. Okay, maybe my wife would be the first to admit about me and then I would be the second, that I am no stranger to being a critic. I feel I have made great improvements in keeping my mouth shut and my heart right towards people, but there are times I allow myself to be critical of people; so I am a work in progress and I know first hand that this practice is much easier said than done. I thought this would be healthy for anyone, check it out:

Handling the Criticism of Others That You Hear

Charles Simeon, Anglican Minister of the Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, England from 1782 to 1836, speaks to the issue of protecting another’s reputation by the things we say and the things we believe. He wrote in July of 1817, “The longer I live, the more I feel the importance of adhering to the rules which I have laid down for myself in relation to such matters. First, to hear as little as possible what is to the prejudice of others. Second, to believe nothing of the kind until I am absolutely forced to it. Third, never to drink into the spirit of one who circulates an ill report. Fourth, always to moderate, as far as I can, the unkindness which is expressed towards others. Fifth, always to believe, that if the other side were heard, a very different account would be given of the matter. I consider love as wealth; and as I would resist a man who would come to rob my house, so would I a man who would weaken my regard for any human being.”

A huge task, but one I want to Conquer.

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