You don’t like to label people … but let’s be honest, some people are just obnoxious. You’ve met them, I’ve met them … but the question is, do you meet one each morning when you look in the mirror?

Twentieth century, New York real estate mogul and hotelier Leona Helmsley developed quite the reputation for being one of the most obnoxious public figures of her time. Together with her husband, she built a vast hotel empire.

But she was best known for her ruthless business tactics, the way she mistreated her employees, and her famously condescending attitude. Her downfall came when she was convicted of tax evasion in 1989. During her trial, one of her former employees famously testified that she’d said, “We don’t pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes.” Delightful.

It’s been said that each of us has the power to make someone else happy. Some do it by entering the room, others by leaving. The question we should be asking ourselves pretty regularly is, which one of those am I?

As you’re mulling that over, drink this in. It’s good, very good.

Hebrews 3:13 … encourage each other every day, while you still have something called “today.” Help each other so that none of you will be fooled by sin and become too hard to change.

Encouraging others comes from a good place, a good heart, a good person –  the sort of person who makes people happy when they walk into the room. Helping each other … well, if you ask me, you can’t take a more powerful, a more proactive, step against being obnoxious than by helping people. Please, don’t be obnoxious.

That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.