Freely Give

"You have heard that the law of Moses says, "If an eye is injured, injure the eye of the person who did it. If a tooth gets knocked out, knock out the tooth of the person who did it. But I say, don't resist an evil person! If you are slapped on the right cheek, turn the other one, too. If you are ordered to court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who borrow." Matthew 5:38-42

I bet Jesus had people really upset about this one. I mean, going from being able to slap someone back, or poke 'em in the eye? I mean, come on, who wants to turn the other cheek when you could nail them right back? And not only that, these people are taking something from you, and you have to give them even more? How is that right?

"Give as freely as you have received!" Matthew 10:8

Jesus gave us eternal life. After that, what could compare? I mean, really, what compares to that? Certainly not money, clothes, or anything that we can find in this world. And if we have that eternal life, what value does any of our possessions truly have? Shouldn't we use anything we have to help us in our commission to preach the Gospel to every creature? And if, we have to give something up to be a witness to someone, shouldn't we do it with a happy heart? Don't begrudge anyone anything. God provides us with what we need, and often, more than that.

"Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required to whom much more is given." Luke 12:48b

Another hard message. Its frustrating, knowing that God expects so much of us. Seriously, we are only human. How can we make an impact? I guess its a good thing that he came and gave us the example to follow. He showed us how to do it. Do we actually follow his example? We can feed the thousands waiting. We can heal the sick. We can raise the dead. But before we can do that, we have to be faithful in the little things. Bible reading, prayer, worship, just spending time with Him builds us up to do the miraculous.

Be faithful in the little things so He can trust you with the big ones.

Sam