Newsletter
September 2002
CHAIRMAN’S CHATTER
John 13v34 is my Church’s text for the year. Traditionally we have a sermon on this, on the first Sunday of the New Year, but this hasn’t happened yet. However we have had various other sermons such as ‘forgive one another’ and I suppose they are saying the same thing – if you love one another you will forgive one another.
It was during the sermon on forgiveness that a passage in Luke was used, Luke 6v37 mentions about not judging or condemning people, and to forgive so that we will be forgiven. But it was verse 38 that really caught my eye `Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measurer you use, it will be measured to you’.
My human mind thought, I’m not sure that I want to give if I’m going to be given more to do! But then the last line struck home `the measure you use will be used against you’. Also I noticed that it is God that does the giving and being aware of what the rest of Scripture says about God knowing what is best for me, I came to the conclusion that I should not be reluctant about giving.
Remember the parable about the servants who had been given some money by their master? The first two made more money and as a reward were trusted with more, but the last servant just buried his money, and so ended up with nothing. How about us - are we using our time, money, and skills that God has given us to His glory as much as we can? If we are, then we also need to learn that God is not only the giver but He equips as well. Only when we rely on His resources and not ours, will we experience what Luke is talking about.
Take care
Julie
Thanks for visiting our site !
Please let us know you have seen our web pages by emailing the CRC WebWeaver