Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Why do we give something to another person? Who have you given something to recently, and why? If I answer this I can see I gave a computer game to my grandson because I love him and it was his birthday; I gave a book to a friend because they needed it for study; I gave some money to the church because it was my duty; and I gave a pot of cyclamen to a friend as a thank you present. You get the idea - who and what have you given recently?

So what happens if we apply this same question to God? He designed and cares for our world; He gives us the means to live and thrive - water, food and shelter; He loves His people and wants to share the riches of His grace with all nations. He doesn't give because it is His duty, neither does He give because He wants to thank us or because we have done something special. He gives to us out of pure love!

Jesus doesn't say never give a meal to friends or to your rich neighbours (the phrase "do not invite" means "do not always invite") rather he says that we should give what we can to all in need - whatever their creed or religion - and when we shall never be repaid. Ultimately the quality of our character is shown by how we treat those who cannot benefit us in any way, which is a rather sobering thought.

Lord God,
Your generosity to us
is overwhelming and
we can never hope to return it.
Help us to be as generous to others,
the poor, the sick, and those in need,
knowing that when we do so
we are obeying Your instructions
to love other people.
Amen.