SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 15
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” [Matthew 10:7-8]
Observe the parallel between Moses’ words and Jesus: “Give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you. [Deuteronomy 15:14]; Freely you have received, freely give.” [Matthew 10:8]
A living reflection of God’s grace and generosity, a blessing to the nations.
God’s generosity is an invitation to our own generosity.
We love because God loves us, we give because God gives to us.
We forgive because He forgives us.
As image-bearers of God, we reflect Him.
Moses reminds the people that they are to be a living reflection of grace and generosity, as a witness to the world.
How they treat each other is directly related to how God treats them.
He will bless them so that they can be a blessing.
In this way God reveals His kingdom to the world’s kingdom.
One reason why I resist the emphasis on tithing (giving 10% to the Lord) is that it can lead to the idea that we give God 10% so we can enjoy 90%.
This is not the intent of tithing, but it often becomes the result.
The biblical emphasis is on grace and generosity, of the same kind as God.
Self-denial, sacrifice for the sake of others, even of our enemies, overflowing liberality in giving and serving and loving.
What was built into the Jewish calendar every seven years was a reminder of what was intended to be the normal attitude and expression of the heart: freely you have received, freely give.
Grace and generosity are the fruit of the Spirit, the evidence of God at work in me.
This is an even greater miracle that healing the sick, raising the dead or turning water into wine – turning self-centered and stingy sinners into gracious, generous God and people lovers.
This is how the world will know that we are His disciples – by the grace and generosity evident among us.
This is how Israel was to realize the blessing of the nations, and this is how we are to bless the nations.
To show them the way of God’s kingdom.
To model the pattern of grace and generosity – every day of the year.
PRAYER:
Lord, I am not as generous as I should be. I do not appreciate enough how gracious You have been to me. Freely I have received, help me to freely give.
And the fruit of the Spirit is . . . . giving.
All that I have I owe to the Lord. All that I have is His. Freely use the gifts He has given. Use the gifts as a blessing as He has blessed. The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. Live in such a way that shows the the world belongs to God. And they will know we are Christians by our giving.
I am a steward in His garden. What I have is His. Remember the workers in the vineyard? What I have is His and He must have the increase. His gifts to me are His to be shared with His people. All is in trust.
Help me this day Lord to show once again that the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it is for your praise and glory and honour and power. Every day needs to be a seventh year.
help me to live the seventh year each day.
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name,
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name,
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His love as He told me to.
Chorus:
He said, Freely, freely you have received;
Freely, freely give.
Go in my name and because you believe,
Others will know that I live.”
All power is given in Jesus’ name,
In earth and heaven, in Jesus’ name;
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share His power as He told me to.