I first learned about mercenaries from my Dad, in 7th grade US History. During the Revolutionary War, the British hired professional soldiers to fight for them. Many were top flight and well trained, and well paid to fight. But they found that no amount of money could make then fight for a cause they didn't believe in, so when the going got tough, the paid, well got going-sometimes. And the British couldn't understand why untrained, unprofessional men would fight against their superior army to the death, for no pay. It was because their motivation was more than for money, it came from the heart. Nationalism it is called, how a person will fight for what is his no matter the cost. Not a new concept, and still available today. And our actions tell others about our true nationality.
Sadly we have become a society of mercenaries. I want to be paid for what the job is worth. We want to get paid for what we do, and we want to be paid well. And we want to show it off to others, to impress them as to what a great whatever we are, so they are impressed. It is called pride, and eventually the person falls-just never soon enough for us. I have watched great repair shops fail eventually, after years of success, overcharging what they thought they were worth, while people paid it. But never realized their customers were always shopping for a new shop, one they thought they were being treated fair at, and when they did, the customers left. It wasn't so much the price, it was what they did for it. Mercenary in their pricing system, it was all a la carte. And when a shop was found that would fix things as they found them, and throw in the repair, because it was the right thing to do, soon they had more business than they could handle, and a solid word of mouth advertising base, knowing that if you put out a good product, the money will follow. We call them professionals.
I watch now as we have become a society that must be honored and praised for doing the right thing. My caretaker is here when I need her, but so is her paycheck. My personal assistant is always on call, but so is her time card. All I do is pick up the phone, and someone comes-for a price. An employee/employer relationship, verified by their time card. Mercenary as they got paid for what they did. But let that paycheck not arrive on time, and we see the loyalty wane-because they are mercenary. And sadly their card shows all too often what they didn't do. When the shift was over, they went home, with an "I'll get it tomorrow at work" attitude. But it is not always about money, it is about what the public, their family, or their peer group thinks. Ecclesiastes 4 tells us things stem from the envy of our neighbor. We want to be better than them. To impress them. When mostly they don't care, because they are fighting the same war themselves. Creating a competition, just like two businesses who compete via advertising, then price, with little thought to their product. Eventually the better product wins. For pride always goes before the fall. For like a minimum wage mentality, we get what we pay for, because that's all we have to pay.
Jesus points out to us that this is not a new idea-being a mercenary. It stems from the heart. In Matthew 25 He is confronted by a group of religious types, wanting to impress Him. Looking for their reward for loyalty, even using His name to prophecy, or cast out demons. And they are shocked at His reply-"BE GONE!" For He saw in their hearts their mercenary nature, how they had already gotten their pay check, and it was not enough to gain favor with God. He referred them to "the least of them," and compared them to Him. People like us, or who may be us. You see Jesus owned no property, no car or motorcycle, had no bus passes, and walked most places. He stayed with friends, carried no money, and had no discount dining card. Or major donor for His ministry, He relied on His Father, and He exhorts us to do the same. He did more with nothing than anyone could imagine. He used love. And so He left them, and leaves us with an example to follow. So simple, so humble, yet so rewarding. He told them give drink to the thirsty, give food to the hungry, give shelter to those a stranger, and visit those sick or in jail. Things that gain you no reward, but that do in heaven. All without punching in or using a time sheet. Care for those who cannot care for themselves. "Paying it ahead," as my friend Gavin says. Doing it out of love, like Jesus did. And again a favorite quote of mine from Mother Teresa, when asked by a reporter while in a bug infested hospital. He couldn't take it, and said "I wouldn't do this for a million dollars." And her reply, "neither would I." He thought a million dollars was a lot, she realized it was nothing. That love covers a multitude of sins, and a paycheck will only buy things, it cannot buy love, or respect from God. Henry Ford once said "it is a poor business that only makes money." How poor are you in the business of life?
Remember that next time you look to the cross. Jesus paid it all. Not because He had to, but because He wanted to. Because we never could. And because the price He paid was so high, the only way we could afford it would be as a gift. Remember Jesus when you do something for someone today. If you mark the time on a card and get paid-it isn't love! And you already were overpaid. When loving accept nothing more than a chance to share the love of Christ. Mercenaries show up in all situations. From care giving to car fixing-the best deal is when both people benefit. So get the most for your investment-invest it in Jesus.
He takes all the uninsured, there is no deductible, and guaranteed results. He is the better way. And is not impressed by what you make, and even less impressed by how you make it. In His book, it is the things you did for the least of us that He remembers.
Maybe we all need to rethink our resume of life. How much are you willing to sell out your soul for? It is the times not found on our time card that count the most. Remember that next time you hear "what is best for me, is best for you."
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com