Scripture to Read: Luke 14:12–14
After Jesus had addressed the guests who had been invited to dine at the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees, Jesus then addressed, in Luke 14:12–14, the one who had invited Him to dine at his house. Jesus saw that His host had only invited guests who could repay him one day. It wasn’t wrong that he had invited his friends, family, and others with whom he was associated. Jesus wanted him to know that it would be wrong to habitually invite only those who could repay him. If we, as followers of Christ, only hang out with those who can give something back to us, then we will get caught up in self-centered living. We will live with the ungodly mindset that it is all about what someone else can do for us. But, as Christians, we’re to continually follow Jesus and His example. Jesus always thought of others first and sought to meet their needs. Jesus even said in Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” We must do the same. God knows what a blessing it is to give a gift that can never be repaid—that is why God had Paul tell the believers in Ephesus this in Acts 20:35, “In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Challenge & Application
Why must we guard against only hanging with those who can repay us for what we’ve done for them?
What are some practical ways to give to those who are in need and to show them the love of Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!