A barber gave a rabbi a haircut, then refused to accept pay. “I don’t charge clergy for haircuts,” he said. The next day, when the barber arrived at work, he found a loaf of Jewish rye bread on his doorstep.
The next day, he gave a free haircut to the local priest. One day later, he arrived at work, only to find a bottle of wine, left by the priest.
And then he gave a free haircut to the local Baptist pastor. The next day, when he arrived at work, he was greeted by 15 other pastors, waiting on his doorstep.
Too often, we are like the Baptist pastor, gladly accepting the benevolence of others, while not giving any ourselves. God has a special warning for people like that: “Faith apart from works is dead” (James 2:26).
Recovery Step: Nothing will bless you more than helping others experience the same benefits and recovery that you have received.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
