ENVIRONMENTAL TOXIN: The thinking that meaning in life comes from “making a difference” (results) in someone else’s life, the thinking that significance comes from impacting the world.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: To move from the pursuit of trying to make a difference with my life to simple, obedience to the things of God. We pursue action, not results.

KEY QUOTE: In Chapter 6 (Shirker Service), Goetz writes, “I confess that I am a Shirker. I want results when I serve the poor, the imprisoned, the destitute. I want results because I want to make a difference with my life. What good is serving the poor if they don’t help themselves and turn their lives around?”

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS:

* The notion of making a difference with your life is healthy in the Christian young. Later, though, it’s a sign of a tiny bloated soul.

* We don’t control outcomes as we serve the poor, the needy. Only God does. We can only control our obedience to that which God wants us to do.

* Obedience always requires sacrifice, obedience always brings its own reward.