Friday, March 11, 2016

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan

DEUTERONOMY 14-16

7If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. 8Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. 9Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. 

MARK 13:14-37

32“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard! Be alert^e ! You do not know when that time will come. 34It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”

JOURNAL

God commands to give generously and without a grudging heart.  Lending here is viewed as a way to help and to show grace...not as a means for making money.  

How does this apply in today's world?  I think it ultimately comes back to the heart. If the intent is to harm and see people as objects and means to our own profits and pleasure, then I think that we are treading on dangerous ground.  If our wealth, possessions and treasure are the means in which we place our confidence and hope, then we also are in danger of making it our God.  

I think this is why there are so many verses that apply to money and warnings against it becoming more than it's intent which is simply a tool...not our God.