THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024

 THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024 - LEADING TO LOVE

I can’t save the world by myself.  The only person I can make decisions for is me.

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I am eager—maybe too eager—to walk a mile in somebody’s shoes, to go the extra mile if necessary, and to lend a hand when called upon.  

“What would Jesus do?”.Many (particularly Christian kids) wore wristbands in the 1970s -WWJD - What Would Jesus do”.  Would he let people walk over Him?  I don’t know the answer to that.  

Matthew 5:38-41

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek to them.  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

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That sounds like letting somebody walk over you. Some people want to take advantage of you in today’s world (which isn’t that much different from previous generations).  Don’t resist an evil person.  If they want your shirt, give them both the shirt and your coat (and your shoes, keys to your apartment, and keys to your car).  Is there a limit?  

What if the other person forces you to go “just” one more mile after going the extra mile?  (And, after that mile, “go another mile.”).    Meanwhile, that person is laughing at you. “Did you see what I did?  I made Karen go five extra miles with me.  What a bozo”. 

A year ago, a “friend” asked me to invest with her online.  She needed help to remodel her apartment.  (So, yes, I “contributed my shirt”).  Then she was helping an orphanage, and could I help? (So, I contributed my coat”), Then her old computer died (and she “needed” a high-end Apple Mac.  (I balked at that.  I’m using a low-end HP personal computer, why should I help her buy a high-end computer).  Then she wanted to travel and needed funds to “visit” me.  I offered about one-half of what she requested - and that wasn’t enough for her.   So, she didn’t come visit me.

I severed that relationship last fall (November).  

She has popped back - “just $1,000 more”.  I’ve said “no”.  

When does loving one another end, and being selfish begin?  My antenna have been slow to recognize that she is taking advance of me.  But, I’ve gone several miles.  And, I’ve tried to do it in LOVE.

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Continuing Matthew 5 (part of the Sermon on the Mound) - verses 43 to 50.

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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So love your neighbor as yourself.  Love your enemies.  Love everyone.  As I understand the first part of Matthew 5, the Roman Soldiers could force you to carry their equipment for a mile, and as lovers of Christ, we carry it a second mile because we want (or that you commanded us) to be loving.  

If a soldier asked for your shirt - you gave them your shirt and coat.  

What if the person asking is just manipulating you?  Love them anyway?  Am I to love this person and give them 1,000 more?  But I now owe a large amount for my dental implant.  I have a mental giving pattern to give to my scholarship fund at Dakota State.  I also want to help my grandchildren in Nebraska have funds for college.  But that is giving to those I love - not my enemies (as the second section of scripture says.  There were needy people in Biblical times - including Jews who became slaves of other Jews because they couldn’t pay off their debts.  

Should I continue to help this woman who has asked for my financial help, even excluding helping those I really want to help? My resources are limited. If I had enough money for one meal, should I give that to somebody who wants it?  

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I believe that God will provide for me.  Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Am I not believing in an infinite God if I keep a little back for myself - to meet my needs (like the money for my dental implants or my car insurance payment

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Almighty, infinite, all-knowing, all-loving God, I pray for my online friend. She needs funding for a situation.  You know everything - and you know what she needs in this case.  Philippians 4:19: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."  or, in this case, You will meet all of HER needs according to the riches of God's glory in Christ Jesus."  

Almighty God, I feel inadequate to fund this situation with my car insurance payment and my dental debt. Should I pay my debts or ignore them because she needs funding?  

Almighty God, you can and will meet her needs—as you will meet my needs. Yes, I am to love Katherine, and I do so with Your perfect agape love. But I know I am not perfect. Bless her with a solution.  Amen

LOVE WINS - even in finances, relationships, and loving one another in agape love.

LOVE TRANSFORMS - continue to transform me, Lord.

Karen Anne White, June 27, 2024