Bible Study Devotional – Day 170– Commentary Luke 6:34-38 – What does the Bible teach us about giving?

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:34-38)

 

One rainy winter, only Mr. Rabbit’s home escaped flooding, so he invited all the rabbits, even the mean ones, to live with him. Although his home was overcrowded, he made many friends. The next season a lynx targeted Mr. Rabbit, waiting by his home to kill him. A friend warned him and offered him shelter in his home. The determined lynx found Mr. Rabbit, so another friend offered to hide him. Mr. Rabbit protected the other rabbits, expecting nothing in return, so now they protected him.

 

Floods, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and 9-1-1; all disasters find neighbors helping neighbors. But God wants us to be generous in all seasons to everyone – to give without expecting anything in return, even to those who have mean hearts. God needs us to be his hands to be merciful to the ungrateful and wicked. Our enemies have gone through abuse we don’t know about and don’t know God’s love. God wants to show His mercy through us. Perhaps if we have extra toilet paper, face masks, or hand sanitizer, things in short supply during this coronavirus season, we can put a ribbon around them, attaching a sweet note and leaving them on our neighbor’s porch. God promises when we are faithful in this area, we will get back more than we have given, a measure overflowing into our laps.

 

Heavenly Father, help me to be creative in giving to others, including my enemies, during this time of separation due to the coronavirus. Give me an urge to send a note or make a call to one who needs your mercy.

Bible Study Devotional – Day 170– Commentary Luke 6:34-38 – What does the Bible teach us about giving?

2 thoughts on “Bible Study Devotional – Day 170– Commentary Luke 6:34-38 – What does the Bible teach us about giving?

  1. We have given so much without expecting anything back. I thank God that we have had the resources to help. I remember dad saying to me, when Drew lost his job, “If you need anything I hope we can help. We have the money to help you, you can take it now or inherit it.” It was a comfort to know that if anything went wrong, they would have helped us. He also set a good example showing me the way it should be done if someone needs help. At certain points I have struggled with giving and not expecting anything in return, it hasn’t always been easy. But I think of dad and what he said and it was said with such a loving heart. I have tried to give with a loving heart too. It feels much better when you do it that way. Giving during the Corona virus, I have plans to take homemade Hot Cross Buns to my neighbor next Saturday, so they can enjoy them Easter morning.

    1. We have both given a lot to our children without expecting anything in return. When someone gives something to me out of love, I try to reciprocate. It is harder to give to someone I don’t know. We have 3 new neighbors since three of the units were undergoing repairs from Hurricane Michael, so I am planning to give a nice card and toilet paper to all of my neighbors since it is in short supply now. The neighbors who don’t know me might throw baked goods away. I wish we lived closer so I could get some of those good hot cross buns. I haven’t had any since I was a child. I love you, Sis. Thanks for giving me your love. I can feel it all the way down in Florida.

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