Be Merciful With Your Possessions (Devotional Day 21)
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7
"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matt. 5:42)
With the words above, Jesus continues to raise the bar as to how merciful his followers are to be towards others. The needs of others are to be more important to his disciples than their own possessions. The literal straight-forward interpretation of what Jesus is saying is simple to understand but hard to practice: Give away whatever people ask you for, and loan out whatever someone asks to borrow, regardless of their character or trustworthiness.
Everything in us wants to say, “But wait a minute, if I do that, I could wind up completely broke!” But could that be the point that Jesus is making, that we would be better off penniless and completely dependent upon God for our sustenance? That is what exactly what Jesus asked of the rich young ruler in Luke Chapter 18. In addition, Jesus frequently taught that it was a blessing to be poor and a stumbling block to be rich; he was adamant that his followers should seek first the kingdom of God and His reign in their lives rather than pursuing wealth or monetary gain.
And if that were not enough, Jesus modeled to us a kingdom-first lifestyle with practically no worldly possessions or wealth except for his clothing. He could have easily had the mansions and Rolls Royces and bling of his day; just think of how much money he could have had if he asked for a donation every time he healed someone! But he didn’t do that. He traveled from town to town with no place to lay his head and only the clothes on his back. Whatever offerings came in were used for necessities or for the poor. Jesus didn’t even keep track of the money – his disciple Judas Iscariot did that. And we know what that kind of temptation did to Judas – it led him down the path of betraying Jesus and then committing suicide in his sorrow.
So maybe Jesus is being completely serious and literal when he tells us to give it all away. Maybe we’re better off with less and those people whose needs are met through us will glorify God for our generosity. It’s certainly something to pray about and see how God leads us.
Of course, in Jesus’ day he wasn’t approached by dozens of strangers a day with their hands out on the side of the freeway off-ramp. And he certainly didn’t open up his laptop and skim through requests for money from people in far-away lands who need help with the taxes on their lottery winnings or help with their supposed illness or whatever the latest scam happens to be. So we have to take it all into account and be wise and ask ourselves the famous question, “What would Jesus do?”
I don’t know about you, but for me, as I have struggled to answer that question for myself, I have come to the realization that I am much happier when I have a merciful heart and simply give away what I can to whoever asks me face-to-face and seems to have a genuine need. I don’t have to judge them or worry about how they will spend the money; that’s between them and God. And I don’t have to give to every scammer that emails me or sends a solicitation in the mail – I don’t know them and they are not just asking me but asking thousands of people at the same time. To me they are professional beggars at best and criminals at worst. Long story short, then, if I know someone, or know the organization and what they do, then I will consider how much I can give and still meet my responsibilities to care for my family.
So then, if there is someone before me with a genuine need I will do what I can to meet that need. It may only be a dollar or two or even just some spare change, but if I give when asked than I am being merciful and it opens up the door to experiencing the joy of having a merciful heart. It often also opens up the door to conversation and to sometimes praying for someone or even getting more involved in a person’s life. But that comes as you talk to the person and sense God’s leading as to if you are to do more.
It all starts with a heart of mercy, though. A heart that is open and ready to give rather than closed and habitually hoarding. If Jesus were to walk our streets today, I think he would freely give to everyone who asks. And for the scammers and the criminals, I think he would smile at them and with a twinkle in his eye he would offer them something even better than money – the forgiveness of sin and eternal life if they would only repent and put their trust in Him.
Pray with me: Lord Jesus, help me to have a giving heart. Help me to cultivate a heart of mercy that rejoices when given the opportunity to give. Help me to be a good steward, so that I don’t squander the money you have provided for me. You alone are my provider, and I thank you for my job and all the other sources of income you have provided for me, but ultimately I know that it all comes from you. Help me to honor you and give generously with a heart of mercy, not judging the needy but seeing them through eyes of mercy…continue praying as you feel led…
Meditate on these Scriptures:
Matt 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
John 12:4-6 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Matt 27:3-5 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Action Point: Consider sponsoring a needy child in a Third World Country through Compassion International. Or support your local homeless shelter; click here to find one near you.
For further study: Click on the link below to find more resources.
"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matt. 5:42)
With the words above, Jesus continues to raise the bar as to how merciful his followers are to be towards others. The needs of others are to be more important to his disciples than their own possessions. The literal straight-forward interpretation of what Jesus is saying is simple to understand but hard to practice: Give away whatever people ask you for, and loan out whatever someone asks to borrow, regardless of their character or trustworthiness.
Everything in us wants to say, “But wait a minute, if I do that, I could wind up completely broke!” But could that be the point that Jesus is making, that we would be better off penniless and completely dependent upon God for our sustenance? That is what exactly what Jesus asked of the rich young ruler in Luke Chapter 18. In addition, Jesus frequently taught that it was a blessing to be poor and a stumbling block to be rich; he was adamant that his followers should seek first the kingdom of God and His reign in their lives rather than pursuing wealth or monetary gain.
And if that were not enough, Jesus modeled to us a kingdom-first lifestyle with practically no worldly possessions or wealth except for his clothing. He could have easily had the mansions and Rolls Royces and bling of his day; just think of how much money he could have had if he asked for a donation every time he healed someone! But he didn’t do that. He traveled from town to town with no place to lay his head and only the clothes on his back. Whatever offerings came in were used for necessities or for the poor. Jesus didn’t even keep track of the money – his disciple Judas Iscariot did that. And we know what that kind of temptation did to Judas – it led him down the path of betraying Jesus and then committing suicide in his sorrow.
So maybe Jesus is being completely serious and literal when he tells us to give it all away. Maybe we’re better off with less and those people whose needs are met through us will glorify God for our generosity. It’s certainly something to pray about and see how God leads us.
Of course, in Jesus’ day he wasn’t approached by dozens of strangers a day with their hands out on the side of the freeway off-ramp. And he certainly didn’t open up his laptop and skim through requests for money from people in far-away lands who need help with the taxes on their lottery winnings or help with their supposed illness or whatever the latest scam happens to be. So we have to take it all into account and be wise and ask ourselves the famous question, “What would Jesus do?”
I don’t know about you, but for me, as I have struggled to answer that question for myself, I have come to the realization that I am much happier when I have a merciful heart and simply give away what I can to whoever asks me face-to-face and seems to have a genuine need. I don’t have to judge them or worry about how they will spend the money; that’s between them and God. And I don’t have to give to every scammer that emails me or sends a solicitation in the mail – I don’t know them and they are not just asking me but asking thousands of people at the same time. To me they are professional beggars at best and criminals at worst. Long story short, then, if I know someone, or know the organization and what they do, then I will consider how much I can give and still meet my responsibilities to care for my family.
So then, if there is someone before me with a genuine need I will do what I can to meet that need. It may only be a dollar or two or even just some spare change, but if I give when asked than I am being merciful and it opens up the door to experiencing the joy of having a merciful heart. It often also opens up the door to conversation and to sometimes praying for someone or even getting more involved in a person’s life. But that comes as you talk to the person and sense God’s leading as to if you are to do more.
It all starts with a heart of mercy, though. A heart that is open and ready to give rather than closed and habitually hoarding. If Jesus were to walk our streets today, I think he would freely give to everyone who asks. And for the scammers and the criminals, I think he would smile at them and with a twinkle in his eye he would offer them something even better than money – the forgiveness of sin and eternal life if they would only repent and put their trust in Him.
Pray with me: Lord Jesus, help me to have a giving heart. Help me to cultivate a heart of mercy that rejoices when given the opportunity to give. Help me to be a good steward, so that I don’t squander the money you have provided for me. You alone are my provider, and I thank you for my job and all the other sources of income you have provided for me, but ultimately I know that it all comes from you. Help me to honor you and give generously with a heart of mercy, not judging the needy but seeing them through eyes of mercy…continue praying as you feel led…
Meditate on these Scriptures:
Matt 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
John 12:4-6 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
Matt 27:3-5 When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood."
"What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility."
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Action Point: Consider sponsoring a needy child in a Third World Country through Compassion International. Or support your local homeless shelter; click here to find one near you.
For further study: Click on the link below to find more resources.
To be a part of the conversation about the article above, or even if you just want to read what everyone else is saying about it, go to the Be Merciful With Your Possessions Comments Page.
To be a part of the conversation about the article above, or even if you just want to read what everyone else is saying about it, go to the Keeping Your Word Pure Comments Page.
To leave your comments, helpful hints, and suggestions about this website overall, use the Comments section of Pastor Randy's blog.
To leave your comments, helpful hints, and suggestions about this website overall, use the Comments section of Pastor Randy's blog.
This article is Day 21 of the 40 Day Devotional; the next devotional is Day 22.
Please use this website for personal devotional use and feel free to share it with friends and family. However, all publishing rights are reserved. No reproduction or publication of this blog is permitted without the permission of the author, Pastor Randy Brockett. To contact Pastor Randy, email him at [email protected].
To be a part of the conversation about the article above, or even if you just want to read what everyone else is saying about it, go to the Keeping Your Word Pure Comments Page.
To leave your comments, helpful hints, and suggestions about this website overall, use the Comments section of Pastor Randy's blog.
To leave your comments, helpful hints, and suggestions about this website overall, use the Comments section of Pastor Randy's blog.
This article is Day 21 of the 40 Day Devotional; the next devotional is Day 22.
Please use this website for personal devotional use and feel free to share it with friends and family. However, all publishing rights are reserved. No reproduction or publication of this blog is permitted without the permission of the author, Pastor Randy Brockett. To contact Pastor Randy, email him at [email protected].
