|
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Lk. 6:38 NKJV) Jesus requires us to give and what a wonderful requirement it is! There is great benefit in giving as we also will be the recipients of giving. Look at how Jesus described the gift:
In comparison to the seed God has given us, how are we doing in the sowing department? To state it another way, in comparison to the time, money, health, possessions, etc. God has given us, how are we doing in the giving department? “The generous soul will be made rich, And he who waters will also be watered himself” (Pr. 11:25 NKJV). Let us give! Trent Thrasher
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Lk. 16:13 NKJV) The Greek word translated as “servant” in this passage (oiketes) denotes a household servant. That is very interesting as each member of the church is a member of God’s house i.e., His family (1 Tim. 3:15). Jesus says it is not possible to serve two masters. This makes sense as our allegiance would be divided to the point of hating the one and loving the other, or clinging to the one and despising [to think little or nothing of] the other. A house divided against a house falls (Lk. 11:17). Furthermore, God will not accept any position but first in our hearts (Lk. 10:27-28; cf. Ex. 20:3-6). Jesus goes on to state that it is not possible to serve God and mammon [riches; treasure; wealth]. This statement is made at the end of the parable of the unjust steward (Lk. 16:1-12). When it comes to stewardship, our use of what God has entrusted us with is of critical importance. The details matter in faithfulness (Lk. 16:10). We never want to be guilty of wasting God’s goods (Lk. 16:1; cf. Mt. 25:14-30). To encourage us to be good stewards and servants, consider a few passages:
Trent Thrasher
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;” (Job 19:25 NKJV) Job had lost a lot (family, possessions, and health cf. Job 1-2), but he had not lost hope. He had hope in a redeemer that he proclaimed lived and would stand upon the earth. The apostle John stated so much when he began his Gospel record (Jn. 1:1-14). Through Christ’s sacrifice we have redemption, the forgiveness of our sins (Eph. 1:3-7; Col. 1:12-14). The one hope (Eph. 4:4) remains available for any honest and good hearted person who hears the Word, keeps it, and brings forth fruit with patience (Lk. 8:11, 15). God blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning (Job 42:12-17), and we have confidence He will do the same for His faithful servants (Titus 1:2). I know that my Redeemer lives and I look forward to being with Him some day! Let us look forward to spending eternity with God and the faithful of all ages (cf. Rev. 7). Trent Thrasher
“For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Ps. 1:6 NKJV) It is a great comfort to know that God knows. He knows when we feed the hungry, when we give the thirsty drink, when we take in the stranger, when we clothe the naked, and visit those who are sick and in prison (Mt. 25:31-36). Indeed, the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD (Pr. 5:21). He sees the evil and the good (Pr. 15:3). God knows those that trust in Him (Nah. 1:7) and those that are His (2 Tim. 2:19). God also knows the conduct of the ungodly which leads to definite destruction (Ps. 11:6). There is a way which seems right to a man but leads to death (Pr. 14:12, 16:25). May we allow God to be the One to direct our steps (Jer. 10:23), and as such to ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk (Jer. 6:16)! God is always watching, so let us keep His precepts and testimonies (Ps. 119:168). Trent Thrasher
|
Archives
May 2025
|
RSS Feed