by: Keith Phemister
I have read the story of the healing of the ten lepers countless times. It makes for great study and meditation. Recently, while digesting some of the truths from this text, I realized that this one who differed from the majority represented the vast minority of Christians. For one, out of ten lepers who were healed, he is the only one who got assurance. He is the one who heard the Master say, “thy faith hath made thee whole.” Now to be sure, the others came the same way this one did. They exhibited the same faith as this one leper who broke away and came to Jesus. I strongly believe all ten were made whole by the same means: their faith. But, this one in the minority got something more than the nine! Although he was a Samaritan, no less, he separated from the 90% and came and thanked Jesus.
Hey, when a real miracle takes place in our lives and we realize it fully, it seems the most normal thing in the world would be to run to the one who performed the miracle and offer thanks! This Samaritan realized it; maybe because it was not supposed to happen to him. This man is an example of the “ten percenters.” Our Lord seems amazed that out of ten lepers who were cleansed, only one would return and offer thanks.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I do not want to be included in the 90% of people to whom Jesus stands in amazement of their behavior after being cleansed and made whole. I want to be one of the ten percenters.
What is the difference between the Samaritan and the other nine lepers? One word leaps out and grabs my fundamental neck to most of our shame. The word is S-e-l-f-i-s-h-n-e-s-s! There it is! One word separates the ten percenters from the ninety percenters. These nine lepers were different than that one, and it seems to have broken our Lord’s heart. “Where are the Nine?” he asks. I think he expected that more would be there to offer a thankful gesture. What a sad exclamation from our Lord’s lips that befalls too many of us. We need to realize that a person who is selfish before he is saved will tend to be selfish after he is saved. Just think of it though! Isn’t the real reason we get saved because we are thinking of ourselves?
Selfishness is clothed and concealed in self worship. By definition, selfishness regards one’s own interest chiefly or solely; influenced in actions by a view to private advantage. These ten men could be characterized in their worship as a worship of self or a worship of Christ. Sadly, nine of the ten chose to worship self over Christ. But thanks be unto God for the ten percenters.
There is no one quite so discontented as the individual who is full of themselves. We are to be “filled with the Spirit.” Reality tells me that most of us are filled with ourselves. Selfishness breeds discontent and discontent breeds emptiness. So what exactly does selfishness look like? Well, let me briefly share three areas for you and me.
First, selfishness shows itself in unfaithfulness! The Bible says it, “… a faithful man who can find.” Most men will proclaim their own goodness, but God is not looking for talented people, He is looking for faithful people! Now, why are faithful people so hard to find? Yes sir and Yes ma’am—they are unfaithful. We have unfaithful people making up our churches today because we have selfish people in our churches today. But thanks be to God for the “ten percenters”.
Secondly, selfishness shows itself in greed. Okay, another word may be more appropriate: materialism. Greed is take-take instead of give-give. Why oh why are we having such a problem with our people in the support of missionaries? Missionaries are being forced off the field of service because of selfishness.
Hudson Taylor wrote about traveling on a Chinese junk boat. He had witnessed to a man, but he rejected Christ. Later in the day, that man fell overboard and Taylor jumped in after him, but no one else joined him in the rescue effort. Shortly, he saw a fishing boat and called for help, but they wanted money. Upon bartering for all the money Taylor had, the fisherman then joined in the effort to rescue the man. In a minute or so, they found him—dead. Too late! I am afraid we are just like the fisherman. We are more concerned about the almighty dollar than the souls away from the Almighty God. Where are the “ten percenters?”
Lastly, as referenced here in our text, selfishness shows itself in unthankfulness. One out of the ten showed thanks to a Saviour and healer. Unthankful people are selfish people! Once again, that makes up most of us.
This led me to the conclusion that I truly would like to be a part of the “ten percenters!” May the Lord help me and you to do just that!
Keith Phemister
Pastor
Faith Baptist Church
Nashua, NH