|
| This Is One of Those Verses! |
|
| |
6:30 Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again.
I don't ever want to be "sac-religious," but sometimes there are verses in the Bible that trouble me and I wish they weren't in there! If it is in there that means I should obey it right? This is one of those verses that are totally opposite of the world's philosophy. The world's philosophy is:
"get all you can
can all you get
& sit on the lid!"
Look out For Number One!
God Helps those that help themselves!
Do unto others before they do to you!
Am I right? Have you heard these quips before? This world is all about self-preservation, self- indulgence, and self- fulfillment. Yet Jesus says, GIVE and if someone steals from you don't demand it back! WHOA! Why do you think Jesus would say something like that? Because God's ways are not mans ways! When we give we reflect the nature of God which is gracious and unselfish. When we give we exercise faith in God. If we give something away, that we need for our selves, it is showing God that we trust Him to provide for us. When we give, we put the love of God in action in a real and tangible way for people to understand and receive the love of God. Giving helps us fulfill the great commandment of loving God and Man. I show my love for God by being a blessing to my fellow man and God is very clear that if we can't love man who we have seen how can we say we love God which we haven't seen?
When someone takes from us and we don't respond and demand it back we again reflect the character and nature of Jesus Christ. Jesus had his dignity stripped from Him as He was hoisted up on a cross like a criminal but He asked that the Father would forgive them for their actions. When we don't demand justice, we again show our faith in God as the Great Avenger, the One who will settle the score. "Vengeance is mine says the Lord, I will repay." When we don't get too hung up on what is ours, we affirm the fact to the world around us, that we don't need things to be happy, but we have God as our source. We testify to the fact that this world is not our home but we are just sojourners here. If we have the proper perspective of this world, that it is passing away and everything that is in it, we should not get to attached to material things. Rather, we should find our hope and trust, and wealth in God!
One thing that I know for sure is this: If God says it and you obey it, God will make good on His word. He is not a liar or a man that He should change His mind.
So the next time someone at the corner of an interstate asks for some change or your co-worker asks your for some change for a Coke, or if you wife asks you to take out the garbage. Do it! And this is what I tell myself, "I'm giving this to Jesus." "As you have done unto the lest of these you have done it unto Me" says Jesus.
Next time someone steals from you. Let it go and turn it over to God. You will be surprised at the results! And even if, we never get anything back in this world and we give it all away, We have a treasure up in heaven that is waiting for us! Where thieves can't break in and steal! Hallelujah! Can I get a witness up in here? |
|
| To add a comment to "This Is One of Those Verses!" |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| August 23, 2008 |
 |
|
|
That's good Todd. Very good!
We talked about this a few days ago, but I just love Kingdom principles. "Give and it shall be given" It took me so many years to grab ahold of that. But now I know that I only really have that which I give away.
I used to house a lot of unforgiveness towards my ex-wife. That unforgiveness was eating my lunch. But the Lord spoke to me one day and said "Michael, whatever you are holding on to is really holding on to you"! Wow. Seems simple, I know, but it's powerful. When I let go of that unforgiveness, my freedom instantly manifested.
Now I just hold on to Him cause I understand He is holding me back!
Good blog my friend! |
|
|
| August 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
Great Post Todd!
I have been asked before when something was stolen why I wasn't mad. My response: "Oh well, I guess they needed it more than I did". That is my true attitude of late. Sure, it upsets for a bit, but I feel like if someone is so desparate to steal it from me...then they must really need it. Not that it makes what they do right....God will judge that, not me. As to the giving...well....God knows my heart on that one too.
Good one!
Thanks! |
|
|
| August 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
Hmm, I oughta think on this one. I don't mean to be "sack religious" either (lol), but I can't help wondering if it's a good idea or not to hand a dollar to every one of those annoying beggars (drunks, bums, etc.). Won't that reinforce the hobo lifestyle? (This is a lighthearted response, but I really do wonder......)
ps... good blog! |
|
|
| August 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
Hey Mike,
Instead of a dollar....start carrying bottles of water or bags of snacks in your car. Or both...and hand them that. You are still giving....may not be what they really wanted...but I bet they could use that cold drink. :) |
|
|
| August 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
Brother Todd, very awesome... I pray that I will be this way always...
you give it a differen't look; on people on the street corner... if we got it give.
and it they steal give it... that's all they can't take is the materal things and (Kill) our body...
But we have our Soul and Salvation no one can take that away... and that is all that matters...
God bless you Brother Todd, I learn so much from you. Thank you. |
|
|
| August 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
| I also want to give everyone a dollar, but Jim insists that we got to a local mcDonalds and and the fellow a Big Mac! |
|
|
| August 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
Michael: Thank you, for the comment and I can tell you first hand that you and I have both worked through the same problem. I felt so betrayed and lost everything! But, once I worked through the bitterness I was able to praise God for it. It no longer has a hold on me and I am and I don't mean this braggadociosly but I feel that I am a vessel that God can work through now, because He and I have dealt with the bitterness thing. His kingdom principles are on such a higher plain than this world's system.
Valarie: Is that your childhood picture? Yeah that's a great point! It all boils down to this. Who owns your stuff? If you own it, then you should avenge the loss, but if it belongs to God, which deep down we all know it all belongs to Him anyway then let Him deal with it.
Marilyn: You have such a beautiful spirit! That's so right! They can take things and even our life but our spirit belongs to God! He will set all things right!
Patti: You know that is a good practice. I guess your husband wants to make sure the money goes to what he has asked for.Sometimes though that is not practical. I am in a hurry and I have to go and maybe he needs it for other things. Yes some will buy booze or drugs etc...but remember you are not really giving the bum a dollar you are giving it to Jesus. Thanks for the comment and between you and Jim y'all are very compassionate! Praise the Lord! |
|
|
| August 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
| MIKE: you thought I forgot you right? Not a chance! I am going to write another blog in reference to your question. Hey that's a great question!! |
|
|
| August 23, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Oh my! I read it, how great! (Thanks!) |
|
|
| August 24, 2008 |
|
|
|
LOL!!! I love this!!
"sac-religious," |
|
|
| August 24, 2008 |
|
|
|
| Cheryl: You are just a star giver outter today! Thanks for GIVING to me the less fortunate :) LOL |
|
|
Follow this blog
