By Staff Writer, Matt Osborne Over the past few decades, many Major League Baseball fans have voiced their complaints concerning the growing disparity between the league’s “haves” and “have-nots.” Due to the unique nature of MLB’s luxury tax system, franchises with more money typically find themselves in an advantageous position to succeed in the field of play. Since there are no hard salary caps or maximum player contracts, teams with significant financial backing are simply able to offer more money to lure top players. In recent years, studies have shown a correlation between a team’s payroll and the level of success they achieve on the field. This makes sense because the teams with the higher payrolls have generally been able to bring in the best players. The first half of the 2023 season, however, has seen that trend flip upside down in a major way. According to a Front Office Sports article titled, "MLB Payroll Trends Turned Upside Down At All-Star Break," five of the top six spending teams in the league find themselves out of playoff positioning at the end of the first half of the regular season. Conversely, four of the bottom six spending teams are contending for postseason berths. Perhaps the most surprising team among the bunch is the New York Mets. Despite entering this season with an MLB-record $348 million payroll, the team is six games under .500 and is 18.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East. I love seeing some of the teams with the lowest payrolls winning games with “budget” rosters. Even though they may have entered the year with what appeared to be competitive disadvantages, they have found ways to win games against teams that have regularly spent hundreds of millions more than they have. Seeing how spending and winning are flipped upside down in Major League Baseball this season reminds me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 19. In a conversation with a rich young man, Jesus asked the man to sell his many possessions, give the money to the poor, and follow Him. Because of his love for money, the young man was unwilling to let go of his earthly treasure. When Peter commented that Jesus’ apostles left everything they had to follow Him, Jesus reassured them that they would be eternally rewarded for their decision. He then ended with the statement, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 19:30; ESV). In the economy of the kingdom, greatness is not defined by how much you can acquire for yourself. Rather, it is measured by how much you can give away for the sake of God and the sake of others. In teaching His disciples in Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV), Jesus said, “'The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.'” As we live our lives, we can easily have the same mindset as the wealthiest teams in baseball, doing whatever it takes to get ahead and putting ourselves in the best position to “win now.” But rather than focusing our attention on the vain pleasures and rusting treasures of this world, we should be a people whose hearts have been stirred by the love of our amazing God to pour our lives out in sacrificial service. Though this denial of self does not come naturally to us, we can praise God that He's given us the ultimate example of humble service in the person of Jesus Christ. Today, let's take some time to meditate on this beautiful passage of scripture from Philippians 2:3-8 (ESV): “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” As we intentionally remember the sacrificial example of our Lord, let’s resolve to put others ahead of ourselves so we can experience true victory. After all, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first”. I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times that I act out of selfishness and pride. Thank you for sending Your Son to die on the cross for my sins, and to give me an example of placing others ahead of myself. Help me to follow His example by sacrificially caring for others ahead of myself. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. What are some things in your life that trigger selfishness within you?
2. What are some practical ways you can attempt to be more sacrificial in service to others?
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