We have heard we are not to judge. We have heard we are to forgive. We have heard we are to give. So how well are we doing? Are we accomplishing them? Or are we still struggling? Be honest. Only you know the real answer, and only if you are truly being honest with yourself.
None of those three are easy, though forgiving may be the easier one of the bunch, at least on the surface. We can say we forgive them. We may tell ourselves to forgive what someone has done to us. We may believe we have, but still hold onto it just a little bit down inside.
Judging can be more challenging. We judge people by the clothes they wear, the way they speak, the places they go, and their actions. Even if we remind ourselves not to judge, we find it very difficult not to do so. But it becomes worse when we condemn them, push them aside, become sure they are going to hell, or even ask God to take our revenge out on them.
But giving may be the most difficult of the three. Why? It means we must give our blessings to someone else. It may be our time that is required to serve someone else, whether at a funeral dinner, helping them with a project, teaching Sunday School, or leading a ministry. They all require us to give up doing something else to serve someone.
Giving our money is an even larger challenge. We have worked hard to earn our paycheck. We rationalize not giving because we have heard of corruption in one organization or another, not the least of which is our churches. Yet, God is not holding us accountable for someone else’s corruption. He is holding us accountable for withholding what he has blessed us with to give to others.
Take notice of the reward Jesus promises when we give. We receive a good measure, pressed down, and overflowing. In other words, God will pour us a cup of coffee until it overflows onto the floor. He will fill our plate with food until it spills onto the table. We cannot out give God. So, give freely.
I pray we all work at not judging. I pray we strive to forgive with earnestness. I pray each one of us will give our blessings to help others trusting in the promise that God will give to us. Do not judge. Do not condemn. Forgive one another. Give your blessings to help others.
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, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
Marty Pressey 