Luke 6:35 begins, “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High.” Jesus tells us there is a gift for those who lend without expecting to be repaid or expecting anything in return for their work. This simple act of giving reminds me of the annual Souper Bowl Food Drive at Hope.
Last month, over the course of one weekend, Hope collected thousands of canned goods and care products to fill the shelves of more than 120 food pantries. Come Monday morning after the Big Game, the Atrium at the Hope West Des Moines campus was full of canned food, peanut butter, toilet paper, and things I take for granted every day.
When people brought in their donations throughout the weekend, they did not wait for someone to notice them or to have their picture taken with their donations. They brought them in and then went to worship the Lord at service. This is what I believe this verse is teaching us.
Jesus calls us to give without hesitation and worship him as we do so. Whether we do this as a church or in our own individual lives, we are living out the calling God has placed on our hearts to love and care for others whom he calls his children. Verse 6:36 says, “You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” When we answer God’s call to be compassionate with giving and worship, we are reflecting God’s love into this world.
Reflection:
- Have you ever given something and looked for recognition or to receive something in return? If you did not receive anything in return, how did you feel?
- What are ways you can find freedom in the things you give (money, time, attention, physical goods) so you can worship as you give?