One of our challenges for 2014 is to learn and live
all 50
commands of Jesus. Jesus told us that following his
commandments is a way to love him and a way for his love and his joy to fill
our lives (John 15:9-12). In his Great Commission, Jesus tells his
followers to make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey everything he
commanded us (Matthew 28:19-20). So each week in this year we are
learning and living one command of Jesus. Here is our command for this
week...
Week 20:
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your
possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then
come, follow me,” (Matthew 19:21).
Application:
Before you over think the implications of this command,
pause to understand the heart behind it.
Our God has a big heart for those who are
struggling. If you are struggling, I
want you to know that God loves you and cares a lot about you. Throughout the Bible we find God advocating
on behalf of those who are struggling.
There are three groups of people in particular that God mentions over
and over – the poor, the widow, and the orphan.
These were, and perhaps still are, the most vulnerable people in our
world.
God calls his people to care for the poor, the widow, and
the orphan. Here are a few examples. Deuteronomy
15:11: “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you
to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your
land.” Isaiah 1:17: “Learn to do right!
Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.” James
1:27: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to
look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being
polluted by the world.” We are called to
care for the needs of our brothers and sisters around the world who are struggling.
I've heard people respond to this command saying, “Well, does God
want me to sell everything and live in a hut somewhere?” This kind of response misunderstands the God
who makes this command. Remember, God
cares deeply about his people, especially those who are suffering. Imagine a parent who sees their kid struggling. God does not want us to struggle or suffer
either. God’s desire is not to make you
destitute in place of the poor, the widow, and the orphan. God’s desire is that everyone has
enough. The truth is that God has
blessed us with more than we need, more than enough. If we have more than enough and others do not
have enough, we have a responsibility and a calling from God to give.
There is a great promise that comes with this
command. Jesus promises, “Give, and it
will be given to you. 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 6:38). This is not a give-to-get campaign; it is an
assurance that God can provide for our needs when we are generous.
Our challenge this week is to give in a way that helps on
earth and lays up treasures in heaven. For
many of us, this can be tithing to our church.
My wife and I give to our church knowing that ten percent of what our
church gets is given away beyond our congregation to help with needs in our
area and around the world. The other 90
percent is used to further our vision of reaching and transforming
spiritually-distracted people so we all love and serve God. We also give above and beyond our committed
gift to help with specific organizations that help care for the poor, the widow, and the orphan. A few weeks ago I got to meet up with my
cousin who is a medical missionary in Honduras.
I heard about the amazing work she is doing and felt God calling us to give.
Prayerfully consider how you can give to further the
ministry of your church and to support the work of caring for the poor, the
widow, and the orphan. If you are part
of a small group, click this link to learn of ways your small group can support
the poor, the widow, and the orphan: Small
Group.
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