Thursday, March 21, 2013Greetings Bible Enthusiast!
When we do a favor for someone, even if it is a really big favor, should we expect some return? One reader wrote to say that some time ago they had helped a friend start a business, then later they were able to start another business of their own.
When they asked their friend to put a flier up in the window of his business to advertise their own, their friend refused because, due to the nature of their business, he was concerned about objections his Christian customers might have.
Jesus said when we do a charitable deed, we should not let our left hand know what our right hand is doing. (Matthew 6:3) In other words, expect no return, and harbor no hard feelings. God will give the return, if it is in His will.
--TODAY'S NOT SO TRIVIAL TRIVIA QUESTION: Q. How did Jesus say we can attain perfection?
Answer below.
God Bless You!
Annie
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--DAILY BIBLE VERSE:"Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 5:42-45
Obeying these commands of Jesus does not mean throwing away discernment and judgment but, as always, we are to pray about each individual situation and ask for the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit.
********************--TODAY'S BIT OF WISDOM/REFLECTION: "God loveth a cheerful giver who does not talk too much about it nor expect too much credit for it."
- Roy L. Smith
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--FEATURED FUNNY: At a theological seminar in Kentucky, students entering the room for lunch were greeted by a sign which read: "Take only one apple, God is watching you."
At the other end of the table was a large tray of chocolate cookies with a hastily scribbled sign which read: "Take as many as you want - God is back there watching the apples."
-Colin Jeffrey
********************--ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION: Q. How did Jesus say we can attain perfection?
A. by loving your enemies
"For I say to you, love your enemies... For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."
Matthew 5:46-48
Jesus had just been talking about loving our enemies and blessing those who curse us (see Bible verse above); here is telling us that loving and blessing those who love and bless us is easy, for even the tax collectors do that.
What directs us on to moral perfection is loving and blessing those who hate and curse us, and to pray for them. After all, that is what Jesus did, even to the point of laying down His life for those who hated and cursed Him, making Him the perfect sacrifice.