Are you continually looking for more? Are you jealous of how much others have? Do you look upon those with much and think they acquired it dishonestly? Are you angered by your lack and the plenty of others?
We have often heard it said the world is not fair and it is true. We can easily observe the haves and the have nots. You may fall into one of those categories or somewhere in between. However, many of us will look at ourselves as being in the second category.
Why do we think we fall in the have not category? We always want more. Take a look at today’s passage. Read it slowly. Pay close attention to what Jesus is saying. Contemplate what He is saying. Read it as many times as you need for His words to sink in, have an impact.
Do you see what He says about receiving more? If we are willing to give, we will receive. Sound contradictory, paradoxical, upside down? The Apostle Paul states in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that God loves a cheerful giver. If God loves a cheerful giver, it makes sense that He will provide the giver with the means to give.
Also notice how Jesus groups judging, condemning, and forgiving, with giving and receiving. These are all about attitude. They are about the heart condition. God is all about our heart condition. Perhaps we should be about our heart condition as well.
I pray we all take Jesus’ words to heart. I pray we desire to change our heart condition. I pray each one of us asks God to make our heart to be like that of Jesus. Give up judging. Stop condemning. Be willing to forgive. Give generously to those in need. Give generously to God. Receive God’s blessings.
Luke 6:37-38 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Marty Pressey 