Common Salvation

The church I attended as a child had regular "carry in" dinners. We would have several tables full of food and we enjoyed the fellowship of each other.

Since I have been an adult, I have encountered a curious habit of my fellow believers which disturbs me.

"Who made the green beans?" "Did you see who brought the ham?"

Some folks will not eat the food prepared by their brother or sister in the Lord. They pick and choose according to their impression of the household where the dish was prepared.

It has never occurred to me to forgo partaking of a dish because of who prepared it. I have refused coconut pie because I don't care for coconut but not because of who prepared it.

There were several foundational principles my parents taught me. From my father I learned to return a borrowed item to the lender in better shape than it was. From my mother I remember to tithe and be faithful to the house of God.

Now that I think of it my mother also taught us to include everyone who is present. And I am sure she must have taught us to be gracious when served.

This is a common salvation and everyone who prepares a dish, lesson, song or dance is important in the Kingdom.