Something For Your Spirit
Elder Thomas W. Burgess
October 2023
Give And Be Blessed
Luke 6:38 KJV
Give and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
We have reached that time of year when God's amazing creation in nature puts on its dazzling display of colors. It is harvest time for those who farm. To those of us who do not farm, we begin to complain about the weather. Some of us are not pleased that our love of hot weather is leaving while other who love cold weather complain saying "It's about time for cool and cold weather to arrive. Meanwhile God's creation says look at our "Beauty" look at The Glory of His Creation as we shed this years growth that will prepare the soil for next years growth.
The beautiful change of seasons also let's us know it is the beginning of our special "Holiday Seasons" with Thanksging and Christmas right around the corner. Both of these special events bring us to the mindset of this being the season of giving. To those who have little, we who have give to those who do not. Media outlets have begun their traditional plea for warm clothes for those who don't have them, soon collecting toys for families that struggle will be aired and Thanksgiving dinners to those who are less fortunate will begin and that is always a good thing.
The passage of scripture for this message is found in Luke 6 that refers to "Rules of Kingdom Life: beginning with verse 27 of chapter 6 KJV when Jesus says "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Verse 28 "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you". Verse 30...Give to every man that asketh of thee: and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. Verse 35...But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great and ye shall be the chldren of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Verse 36...Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Verse 37...Judge not, anad ye shall not be judged: condem not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven.
Rules Of Kingdom Life dictate what Jesus taught, the importance of "LOVE". In the 70's there was a song by England Dan and John Ford Coley that had this lyric line, "Light of the world shine on me Love Is The Answer". We still struggle trying to do that because we let stuff that doesn't matter get in our way, especially in our world today. Love means action, one way to put love to work is to take the initiative in meeting specific needs and sometime that need is money.
How many times do we see men and women standing at a light with a sign asking for money. Honestly, I used to keep going. But when The Holy Spirit says' give to them I do. There was a time in my life that could have been me but because I now give to them, I always get it back. That is what verse 38 is about. Notice in that passage Jesus says' "Give" and it shall be given unto you. Also notice the passage say's good measure, pressed down and shaken together and running over "SHALL MEN GIVE INTO YOUR BOSOM". It is True.
This happens because of your obedience. Kingdom life is about sharing, giving and receiving. You can't receive anything when your fist is closed. But when you give openly, you will receive openly. How do I know? It's in the Bible, The Word and I am crazy enough to believe it. That is why those who believe it and are obedient to it are "Blessed."
The apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8 KJV...But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7...Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8...And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in allthings, may abound to every good work.
To you and your family, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
God Bless you.