February 24, 2025
Luke 6:27-38
Jesus said to his disciples:
“To you who hear I say,
love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
To the person who strikes you on one cheek,
offer the other one as well,
and from the person who takes your cloak,
do not withhold even your tunic.
Give to everyone who asks of you,
and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
For if you love those who love you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who do good to you,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners do the same.
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment,
what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners,
and get back the same amount.
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them,
and lend expecting nothing back;
then your reward will be great
and you will be children of the Most High,
for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
“Stop judging and you will not be judged.
Stop condemning and you will not be condemned.
Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Give, and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”
It makes you want to say, “Seriously, Jesus?” And He doesn’t stop there. Jesus adds, “Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.”
It seems so unfair! Doesn’t it. Unless, we look at this way of life from a stewardship point of view. Then, not only does it seem doable (though challenging), but it also actually makes good sense. A steward as the Bible portrays them, understands clearly that all they have and all that they are is a gift from God given to them from his abundant love. This changes things, don’t you think? This means “my” cloak, “my” tunic, “my” money, and time, all of it ultimately belongs to God. He has entrusted these things to each of us in love to use for His purposes and His glory.
Does this mean we are to be “doormats” to anyone who would take advantage of us? Well no. Jesus explains this in the next verse of this passage when He says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Jesus understands human nature well. He knows that we naturally desire only good and nothing bad for ourselves. And there is nothing wrong with loving oneself since God loves us and has made us in His own image and likeness. Jesus is simply asking that we also approach others, and the sharing of our gifts, with this same attitude. He is giving us a definition here of real love, a steward’s love!
Jesus says, “Love your enemies and do good to them and lend expecting nothing back.” That is true greatness in God’s view. When we love like that, He promises our “reward in heaven will be great.” What makes a stewardship way of life worth living is that this lifestyle is modeled after our good and generous God.
And if that is still not motivating enough to embrace this way of life, Jesus gives us one more bit of loving motivation. “Give and gifts will be given to you: a good measure, packed together, shaken down and overflowing will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.” Our wonderful God and Father simply will not be outdone in love.
So, be generous with your gifts, with your life, and just watch what God will do!
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