"Which of you, if his so asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (Mt. 7:9-12)Do you here that. I heard God loudly in that passage? At the beginning, I was really focusing on the parent child relationship. At the end, I noticed that rephrasing of the golden rule. The golden rule refers to how we treat everyone. It is part of the same paragraph as giving gifts to your children. Does this extend to others?At first, I did not want to even suggest that God may want me to share good gifts with others like I do with my children. Sadly the hesitation was a result of : "What about me?" I am ashamed to admit I am a selfish person but on this day it was evident. I cannot not deny that I often think about my self and how much I need or must do for others.More of that later but first lets take a look at the beginning of the paragraph or specifically verse7. If the child you raise and love ask you for bread will you give them a stone. If they are hungry will you make them suffer. Most likely not. Look also that this first line is about needs. Children have needs and must be fed, and we are the ones to provide that. As God's children God is more than aware of our needs. Does He turn us away or give us things that are uneatable. NO! We may not like the circumstances God allows but they are of value. If God is for me who can be against me that matters. Right, and I worry about who is against. I worry about what I need and what and I ask and sometimes I ask to much. Again I am convicted of my deep selfishness.If my neighbors asks for my time, do I give cheerfully? Depends on what I am doing. Does it depend on God and what He is doing for him to listen to us? I think the answer to that is a resounding NO!! but often I don't mind listening if I am not busy but that's not God's example.Jesus blesses me daily with his presents, (gifts) man I need to ask myself am I giving the world a stone when they ask for bread. Sadly, perhaps I am.LORD HELP ME GIVE TO OTHERS AS YOU GIVE TO ME
Texts are from the NIV unless other wise stated
MY GIFTS:
BREAD OR ROCKS?
This page was last updated: February 28, 2012
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