On Sunday we continued with our series on discipleship from The Sermon on the Mount. This week we are looking at Jesus’ teaching regarding retaliation.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38-42)
Jesus teaches us to “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Does this mean that we are to give any and all our possessions away to anyone who asks for anything? Are we simply to say yes to every request on our finances and possessions? Again, as with all of the examples of Kingdom generosity in this text, it is a call to be radical, but it’s not a call to be irresponsible. A Christian is to reflect the gospel - Jesus’ death for sinners - in the way that they give.
The early church were generous, but they also taught how to be responsible. For example, here is an excerpt on some directions on generosity to the poor (it’s worth reading all of it).
‘Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.’ (1 Timothy 5:3-4)
Clearly, the church is not to have an irresponsible approach to how we help the poor. Each of us, and those who have responsibilities for the church’s finances, need to seek to respond to every request in a way that they feel is loving and honouring to God.
RESPONSE
We can only be generous if we are not being wasteful and are budgeting so as to be generous. Christians are able to be generous because they don’t waste what God gives to them.
Let’s ‘stop, look and listen’ when opportunities to meet a need present themselves. Here is a text that’s well worth meditating and praying through.
‘One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.’ (Proverbs 11:24-25)
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - STOP, LOOK AND LISTEN
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Particularly, this Sunday is a special gift day. Let's be praying as to how we will respond to this. Our target is £30,000.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
Nearly every film and story has an element of the ‘underdog’ winning a victory by reaping revenge on those unjust villains. What film or book comes to your mind when you think of revenge on an evil person or group getting justice?
Recap of Sunday's message - please share in your group
On Sunday we continued with our series on discipleship from The Sermon on the Mount. This week we are looking at Jesus’ teaching regarding retaliation.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42)