Luke 6:30-35 - Selfless relationships
Scripture:
Luke 6:30-35
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.
NASU
NASU
Thoughts:
These verses speak of the selflessness that should be evident in us as believers. We're not to demand restitution (verse 30), we're to love (verse 32), and to do good even to those who don't do good to us (verse 33, 35). When we lend to someone, we should see it as a gift (verse 34), and of course the Lord here gives us the Golden Rule, that we "do unto others" (verse 31).
These verses speak to how we handle our relationships. Friendships, spouses, family members, and acquaintances, should all experience this unselfishness and love from us.
One area that we don't often think of, is our giving in relationships. How often do we give relationally only to expect something in return? (verse 34) We only send Christmas cards to those who send us one in return. If we were the last ones to initiate spending time with a friend, we wait for them to make the next move. Or we might find ourselves feeling slighted when a loved one doesn't care for us in the precise way we think they should. These kinds of behaviors can reveal a subtle selfishness inside of us. A tendency to give only when we expect to receive.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord, that You are the Unselfish Giver (verse 35b). You gave Your own life, that we might through Your sacrifice gain life, though we were "evil" and "ungrateful."
Help me to reflect Your selflessness. Help me to love You and others more than myself. Let my actions be out of love, not guilt and obligation, and not out of a desire for gain. I know I can't do this on my own, but I can do all things by Your power in me. Thank You.
Amen
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