How does a catchphrase popularised after the animated film Robots released in 2005 inspire us to share Christ's commonwealth.
The central character in the film was the young robot Rodney, who dreamt of being an inventor. Being inspired by his hero BigWeld, he was fuelled by the simple but bold statement to ‘see a need and fill it’.
This is the attitude that all citizens in the kingdom should possess. Our identity as a nation is cultivated by our responsibility for each other as citizens. When we realise that we are called out as a nation; our devotion to the King will be evident through our active citizenship. Thus true commonwealth is underpinned by each citizen realising their personal responsibility for each other.
2 Corinthians 8:13-15 'For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
No government in history has ever achieved true equality where the quality of citizenship expressed is equal. However, citizens in the Kingdom will manifest this equality because their understanding is anchored by the truth that God is the owner of all things and as citizens we are just stewards of the things provided in His Kingdom. This is apparent in King Solomon’s reign; in the early part of his rule, his fame of his kingdom was renowned. The queen of Sheba was overwhelmed by the sight of his kingdom (1 Kings 10:1-13).
1 Kings 10:4-5 'when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her'
'And She was astounded that his prosperity extended to every part of his kingdom. Although the measure of what they possessed varied in quantity and their positional status differed. There was no distinction in the quality expressed and the value placed on each citizen. Thus equality can only function under a government whose authority is Jehovah – the owner off all things'
Psalm 24:1 'The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein'
This reality was clearly in the understanding of the 1st century believers in Acts; with this knowledge they sold all their possessions. Therefore, no one went without in the community (Acts 4: 32-37). Every need was satisfied, thus true equality amongst citizens was evident.Acts 4:34-35 'Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need'
Acts 4:34-35 'Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need'The attitude of seeing a need and filling the need is not simple,
The attitude of seeing a need and filling the need is not simple, nevertheless it does require an effort on those that choose to cultivate this attitude. The same attitude is illustrated in this prominent statement made by the Apostle Paul in writing to the Ekklesia in Philippi.Philippians 2:3-4 'Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others'
Philippians 2:3-4 'Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others'The inherent nature of man is selfish and in a move to globalisation, being isolated will be difficult to come by. Thus the kingdom community generates an environment where each citizen is immersed in each other’s lives making it difficult to segregate one-self. Thus, we are instructed by the King to seek to protect and enhance each other’s welfare in the kingdom. When a lack is identified and there is enough resource within the community to supply, true equality is experienced (2 Corinthians 8:13-15).
The inherent nature of man is selfish and in a move to globalisation, being isolated will be difficult to come by. Thus the kingdom community generates an environment where each citizen is immersed in each other’s lives making it difficult to segregate one-self. Thus, we are instructed by the King to seek to protect and enhance each other’s welfare in the kingdom. When a lack is identified and there is enough resource within the community to supply, true equality is experienced (2 Corinthians 8:13-15).
James 2:15-17 'If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead'
The faith being depicted is the act of being supplied from the King in His kingdom. The resources that He has provided is plenteous, to be distributed according to a need that is identified. To neglect in so doing, suggests that there is a call for greater understanding to focus on filling the needs of others.
Therefore genuine prosperity can only be experienced in an authentic commonwealth that is produced by an unadulterated culture underpinned by laws legislated by a Theocratic government. Thus, a vital realisation that is necessary in the lives of citizens is to actualise their potential as a resource in the kingdom. God has not provided all that is needed in the kingdom to then make His citizens redundant. However, this is only created; when citizens do not realise their potential and the resource that has been deposited by the King in them to be supplied in the community.
See a need fill a need is an essential concept that when actualised by citizens in the kingdom produces a culture that is kingdom-sustained and kingdom-sufficient. Thus we as citizen have a responsibility for our neighbour and demonstrate genuine and authentic love for all.
