Here is your daily encouragement words and thoughts. Today I bring you encouragement from Luke 6:30-38
30 Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away.
31 Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full.
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive.”
Biblical Studies Press. (2006; 2006). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Lk 6:30-38). Biblical Studies Press.
Why do you give of yourself to others?
Be it your time, your talents, your love, or your possessions or money. Jesus gives us some teaching here.
In our text today we start out with Jesus telling us to give to everyone that asks and if someone takes your stuff do not ask for it back. Wow what a hard concept to grasp today in our me me society. A society that says you had best work hard to take care of yourself because nobody else will.
On a recent trip to the big city I was walking in the downtown section and a man was sitting in the street holding out his hat. There were 3 pennies in the hat. I had no change in my pocket so I just walked past. I did not make eye contact but I did look back to see the person behind me give the man a few quarters. After coming out of the store from shopping, I did have change in my pocket. So as I walked by I gave the man the change that I had. When I put the money in there was only 3 pennies in the hat. As I walked away I thought to myself he must have a system down. "Look sir all I have is 3 cents to my name." I also questioned in my mind what is he going to do with this money.
In considering this whole thought process lets jump ahead to verse 37. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged." So if I am going to judge this man on what he was going to do with the money I gave him, how am I going to be judged on how I use the money God has entrusted to me. Wow!
Today's text also has the "Golden Rule" Verse 31. I remember being told this over and over again as a kid. It was not quoted to me as scripture but by the repetition, it was written into my heart. It is easy to take the concept into your heart but it is hard to do though when you have to take this to the level of dealing with your enemies. Jesus's teaching can be tough. Thanks be to God for grace.
So I ask again why give of yourself? Verse 38 says "Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you receive." Receiving a running over packed down portion sounds pretty good incentive to give.
Should you give then to get? No! But when you are giving, then you keep God's blessings flowing and everyone involved is encouraged. When you do not give the blessings stop and no one is encouraged or blessed.
Give of yourself as you are enabled by the Holy Spirit. Live in God's Blessing and be a blessing in Jesus name.
Amen
Music Encouragement "The Blessing" by John Waller
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