Description
Generosity and Letting Go
In this episode, we explore this challenging verse from Luke. What does it mean for our daily… (visit YouTube for more)
Transcript
When we meditate on scripture, we have to ask, what does this verse mean for me? And this verse is really challenging. Luke, chapter six , verse 30: Give to everyone who begs from you. And from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back.
What does this mean for us? What does this mean for me? Does this mean that everybody I encounter in the street that asks me for some money or anything, I should give it to them immediately? Does it mean that anybody that takes things from us, we should just let it go? Should we never hold thieves accountable?
Well, the Bible has plenty to say about wisdom and about managing our finances. So when we meditate on this verse, we should hold it in tension with all those other things. But I think what Jesus is saying at the very least is don’t hang on to your stuff.
You remember when he met with the rich young ruler and the rich young ruler had followed all the law to the letter, and he says, what more do I need to do to be righteous? Jesus says, sell all that you have and give it to the poor. And that rich young ruler went away really sad because he had so much stuff. And it was hard for him to let it go.
God has put things in this world and he has given us artistic talents to create things that we like. But, God says, those things should never be more important to you than me. And Jesus’s challenge to us then is to make sure that we are never holding onto anything and saying it’s more important to us than God, that whatever God asks of us, we will give to him always.
So I think we need to reflect on this verse and ask the Holy Spirit to open up our hearts, to let it change us and to reveal to us the deep meaning of this scripture. Let’s do that now.
Lord God, the gospel challenges us, but we want to obey and we also want to be wise in what you have given to us. If there’s any idolatry in our hearts, particularly in relation to money or possessions, I ask God that you forgive us of that. And Lord, we hold these things up to you and say, God, do what you will. Take what you want. It’s all yours anyway. Amen.
