Capacity and Margin for Life/Others

Diagram 1

Giving, sacrificial, liberal and sees needs and takes initiative In this diagram we find the ideal situation within this principle of capacity and margin. This person has learned well the principles that allow healthy relationships to develop.

Capacity

Capacity is the maximum weight of responsibility that a person can manage or carry. This capacity can be grown and increased over time. However, to grow capacity one needs to be willing to undergo difficulty and trouble with the right heart. There must be a willingness to endure hardship and suffering. This increase in capacity is a stretching process initiated by the Lord. Often it will come in the context of serving, sacrifice, love and care for others.

Margin

Margin is the difference between one’s personal responsibilities, needs, wants, etc, and

their capacity. This is the space that is reserved for serving, sacrificing, loving and caring

for others who are not self. This margin area would include family, friends, church,

community, etc.

Self

Is the energy, time and resources that one finds necessary to properly manage and care for

self. Self may grow with capacity, but is better if it does not. Self must be intentionally

contained.

Diagram 2

Somewhat selfish, only serve when asked or required

In this diagram the individual has given himself or herself to selfishness. This person has believed the lies that one must first take care of self before having concern for others.

Capacity

For some people their capacity is not grown or increased because they cannot and do not

want to be bothered about serving, sacrificing, loving or caring for others. All they can or

want to manage is their personal responsibilities, needs, wants etc. They are not interested

in growing into service for others. They will give token amounts of service and care to

others, but usually only when it is convenient and comfortable. This care and service is

carefully metered out. The reason for this is because self is number one and these people

believe that taking care of number one (self) is more important than taking care of others.

These people are considered somewhat selfish and usually will only help if they are asked

or required.

Margin

The margin is minimal and is intentionally kept minimal. If too much is allowed into the margin, then it begins to crowd self. You will hear the excuses of “I am too busy,” my life is full,” “I will pray about it,” etc.

Self

There is the general thought of looking out for number one. My needs and desires and what I want to do come before everyone and everything else. Whatever is left over others can have. Self has grown to the point where it has become difficult to contain and there is a continual pressure between self and the margin.

Diagram 3

Extremely selfish, will never serve

In this diagram the person has stopped all effort to reach outside of one’s self. The individual is only consumed with pleasing and serving self and has little to no desire to serve others.

Capacity

Capacity not used and expanded will begin to shrink in on itself. Capacity requires a

continual pressure against it or it will begin to shrink back.

Margin

For other people we see that they have become so selfish and self-absorbed that they are

only able to manage their personal responsibilities, needs and wants and nothing more.

The only thing that has grown is selfishness. These people are known as extremely selfish

people.

Self

Ironically, self left to itself will expand. So, in reality there are two dynamics at work in

this scenario. Capacity tends to shrink down if there is insufficient pressure against it and

self will expand if not intentionally kept in check.

Diagram 4

Selfish to the point of personal handicap

In this diagram there the individual has lost complete control of self and is no longer able to function normally within society and properly relate to others.

Capacity

In this diagram capacity has shrunk back and is no longer able to even contain self.

Margin

There is absolutely no margin left within the individual to even manage one’s self. Trying to look after number one has backfired and now they are no longer able to look after number one.

Self

In some instances self has overcome one’s own capacity and ability to manage. These

people are what are often called “needy people”. They are unable to genuinely even take

care of themselves. Self has overrun their own capacity. Many of these people require

others to be highly involved in their lives as a matter of personal survival.

What does this mean for me?

Our basic problem is that self is insatiable and can never be satisfied. Self will always want and demand more of self. It will want more time, energy, and focus on self, which if not curbed and managed will only continue to grow until it becomes all-consuming. This selfishness always wants to expand and grow.

Only those who are able to say no to self (are willing to die to self) are able to truly live a life of great satisfaction and joy. It would seem that greater the margin one develops in his life the greater sense of peace and satisfaction that person will attain.

Matthew 25:29-30

29 For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an

abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30 And throw

that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

NIV

If we are not careful even what we have will begin to shrink and disappear until all that is left is nothing – nothing of eternal benefit. As we take advantage of the opportunities to serve others and die to self the more opportunities we have to serve other and die to self. This is the best of both worlds. Capacity increases and self decreases. This combination becomes the eternal win.

It is in this area of margin that we receive our eternal rewards in heaven.

• Dying to self means living to Christ (becoming more and more like Christ and manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

• Serving others is greatly rewarded by Christ in eternity. Even a cup of cold water in His name receives an eternal reward.