From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Tue, Dec 26, 2023 at 4:28 AM

Subject: 12-26-23 THOUGHTS

12-26-23   THOUGHTS

In our class this morning, we will discuss GIVING and RECIPROCITY! We will look at several  passages in our thoughts this morning.  Historically, RECIPROCITY IS POWERFULLY AMERICAN!  IS IT BIBLICAL?  If you buy me lunch, do I now owe you lunch?  Does the ledger card need to be at zero?  Should we even have a ledger card?  You can owe me, but I cannot owe you! WHERE IS AGAPE LOVE in this discussion?  The bible encourages HOSPITALITY over and over.  What does the reciprocity idea do to the hospitality idea?  LOVE MUST RULE!  We will forever owe God. We cannot pay Him back!    1John 4:19 We love, because He first loved us.

Php 4:14-19    Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction.  15  You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16  for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17  Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18  But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.
Consider    Luke 6:27-36   "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  28  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29  "Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30  "Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31  "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.  32  "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33  "If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34  "If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.  35  "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36  "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

My Prayer:
O God, thank You for being love,  and for teaching us to love.  May love abound in our hearts and lives as we teach others the joy of love. Teach us the joy of giving, expecting nothing in return.  Help us to allow You to bless us, as we live pleasing in Your sight.  May we see the abundant life coming from You in all this.  Lord, may selfishness never mar or discount the beauty of this way of living.  In love, may we seek You with our ALL.      In the name of Jesus,     Amen.