What Jesus Did! 'Generous to a Fault' — Luke 6:30

Thursday, April 6, 2023

[Jesus continued his teaching on our interactions with others, commanding,] "Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back."
— Luke 6:30 NLT

Key Thought

Our stuff often owns us. We can even get more attached to our stuff than to the people in our lives. When our things are taken from us, we can be more concerned about the things than we are about the heart of the person who took those things. God wants us to be generous with others, just as he is generous with us. God poured out his grace so lavishly. Do some people abuse that grace? Absolutely! Is God sorry he offered us his grace? Absolutely not! Some people will abuse us financially or take advantage of us in a "deal." Rather than destroying the reputation of the church and bringing ruin on ourselves through bitterness, we need to forgive and let go of what can anchor us to this world.

Today's Prayer

O Father, give me open hands and an open heart to deal generously with those around me. Please help keep me from becoming bitter toward those who take advantage of me. Help me control my desire for "my justice," and help me seek after your grace, mercy, and generosity and offer the same to others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

It's About Seeing Us!
Article by Rubel Shelly
Do you see and listen to these folks around you? Rubel uses a street person named Jack and his friend to remind us that each of these people have a name and need to be valued and noticed as real people.
Love Is Not a Brick
Article by Rubel Shelly
Who would go first among the religions in showing honor to the other? Rubel Shelly talks about world religions, love, respect, honor, and violence.

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 6:30 NLT — [Jesus continued his teaching on our interactions with others, commanding,] "Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, April 6, 2023

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by William James:
"The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Helping Churches on the Brink'
"Dear Beloved, On Paul's last visit with the Ephesian elders, he warned them:Here are my instructions: diligently guard yourselves, and diligently..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'God's Holy Dwelling by the Spirit' (Ep. 2:20-22)
"Together, we are [God's] house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Colossians 3:5
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!