"Jesus said, "Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath." (Mark 4:24)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another; envying one another." (Galatians 5:22-26)
"And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached Thee, O Lord." (Psalm 79:12)
Interestingly, Jesus speaks often about a flow-through heart. Sometimes, Jesus speaks in parables. Other times, Jesus shares real life examples with His apostles, who later then flow-through the Lord Jesus' love to others. Within the body of Christ church in this current dispensation of grace, the Lord teaches us to stand in the offering plate, in accordance with the first commandment.
That is, "Hear O Israel, the Lord thy God is One Lord. Love the Lord with all thy heart, all of thy soul, all of thy mind and all of thy strength." (Deuteronomy 6:4; Mark 12:29-31) And from His love flowing through us, we are called to love one another.
Herein, we will look at two scriptural examples. The first highlights the young lad who offered Jesus all he had to feed the multitudes on the hillside. The latter looks at a couple who sold their possession and decidedly chose to tempt the Lord, by suggesting to the believing community that the monies they received for selling a property they owned was for less than they had actually sold it for.
The contrast between the two is telling. The young lad gave his lunch to feed the multitudes -- his own sustenance to feed the multitudes. I'm sure he knew that his small lunch of five loaves and two fishes would not be enough to feed 5,000 men, plus women and children. However, his child-like faith in the Lord Jesus motivated him share everything -- all he had -- so that others would not be without. (Acts 3:36-47)
In reading the account, one has to wonder why the lad was the only one in the crowd of people with food. Maybe the lad witnessed Jesus' compassion for the people, and he too was moved by a Master who loved.
So, as Jesus went forth, He saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed the sick. And when it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals." But Jesus said unto them, "They need not depart; give ye them to eat."
But they say unto Him, "We have here but five loaves and two fishes." He said, "Bring them hither to Me."
And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, He blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children." (Matthew 14:15-21)
In the end, the disciples gathered up twelve baskets of food. A good example of how the Lord Jesus multiples in a way that is very different from the world's multiplication tables.
In contrast, we see the couple determined to keep back some of the earnings from the sale of their land. It is important to note that they did not have to donate the proceeds from their land, but chose to de os in a manner where they profited themselves. The scriptures allude to the two tempting the Spirit of the Lord. A very different account from the heart of the lad who chose to give his all.
"But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife sold a possession and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostle's feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why hath satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? And afterward it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine own heart? Thou hast not lied unto men but unto God."
And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost and great fear came on all them that heard these things And the young men arose, wound him up and carried him out and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife not knowing what was done. came in." (Acts 5:1-7)
As we know, the same situation happened later with Sapharria his wife. with whom Ananias had agreed together tin their heart to tempt the Spirit of the Lord. The apostles made it clear -- through their questioning -- that the two had other plans in their heart, but still desired the glory that comes from giving. Had they given their all? It is clear from the above example that they did not.
Regardless of which path is chosen for our own lives, it's important to know that the Lord doesn't require our assets, but He does see the desires of our heart.
And let us not be weary in well doing; for in the season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10)
Stand in the offering plate.
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