PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 6:24-26
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.” (Luke 6:24)
According to Jesus, success isn’t always a blessing, nor struggles a curse.
There is something eye-opening about struggles.
And there is something eye-closing about success.
Success can make us proud and condescending, and cruel to others.
Jesus is not condemning the rich, well-fed, happy and well-spoken of.
But he is warning them that these things can blind us to God and others.
Our world is a mess, and many people are struggling and suffering.
God is concerned for all who struggle, and comes in Jesus to help.
Jesus looks to those with advantages to help, but do they?
They criticize and condemn, and they cling to their own comforts.
Their lack of compassion reveals their true heart condition.
I am rich, well fed, happy and well-spoken of… how am I living?
Does my worldly comfort make me careless or critical of others?
Am I more concerned about my own comfort, or the blessing of others?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your gentle warning that my comfort can make me blind and uncaring. Help me to use your blessings to bless others, and not only to bless myself.
“woe to you…” Warning, warning, warning: I am rich, I do enjoy good times, I have plenty to eat, and I do get respect!” I got to be careful – this is not what is important. That is not the goal of living! I can so easily become complacent and forgetting whose I am and what is important – seeking my security in the wrong things. I have to be a good steward and recognize that all the God entrusts to me is to benefit his kingdom – His Will be done. Help me to be effective. To love my neighbour doesn’t need a lot – but if I am enabled – I can give – my time and resources to make a difference for the Kingdom. Lord Jesus help me walk not holding tight to what I have – help me in my generousity!
‘Count your man y blessings and name them one by one
and see what the Lord has done.’
As the Lord God has blessed me, I need to be a blessing unto others. The resources I have need to be shared unto others. All of what I have is His.
All that I am I owe to Thee,
Thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me;
I give my Maker thankful praise,
Whose wondrous works my soul amaze.
Ere into being I was brought,
Thine eye did see, and in Thy thought
My life in all its perfect plan
Was ordered ere my days began.
Thy thoughts, O God, how manifold,
More precious unto me than gold!
I muse on their infinity,
Awaking I am still with Thee.
The wicked Thou shalt surely slay,
From me let sinners turn away;
They speak against the Name divine,
I count God’s enemies as mine.
Search me, O God, my heart discern,
Try me, my inmost thought to learn;
And lead me, if in sin I stray,
To choose the everlasting way.