Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
We are reading and studying in Luke Chapter 12, where Jesus Christ has taught His disciples how they can avoid Hypocrisy, Greed and Fear. How many in our world today would like to be set free from one or two of these? But on He goes to deal with another equally serious matter that troubles so many – that emotionally draining thing called “worry”. I am not rushing through this section because there are vital lessons from Jesus Christ for those who belong to Jesus Christ – for those who are born again and who are disciples in the Kingdom of God.
Verse 32. It is as if at that point - Jesus could see the observers walking away - those who were listening to the teaching being given to the disciples were not quite so interested in this area. It looks as though only the twelve were left, and Jesus says - "Do not be afraid little flock - Your Father has been pleased to give you The Kingdom." It is a gift - the Kingdom is a gift.
"Little band of faithful followers - don't be afraid - at how small your numbers are - nor at how large the work appears to be." Just a few - a defenceless flock in a way - but what a Shepherd!
The Father wants to give you the kingdom, so that you can afford to be generous.
This is a most amazing passage. God desires to give us - all that is connected with the Kingdom - love - healing - forgiveness - power - riches - blessings - friends - houses - work - authority - kingdom words - prophetic words - kingdom guidance - so much.
Jesus loves to give to His people - the Good shepherd - the risen King.
O receive and be content. And yet, even in that contentment, there has to be a restlessness when we see unrighteousness, injustice and suffering, and these will always be present until Jesus Christ returns. But, it is our calling to alleviate pain and to seek to reduce suffering wherever we can.
Verse 33,34. Sell and give. Here is Jesus speaking so practically when it comes to money. The more we give to God, the richer we become. The more we keep the poorer we become. Only those who seek to follow and obey Jesus can see that.
These are kingdom values - kingdom principles. These are kingdom ways. This is kingdom light. People outside who do not believe would laugh at you.
When we give to God - when we invest in the Bank of Heaven - the money will never run out. There are no thieves - no inflationary moths - eating away at our investments. We never lose - this is kingdom victory.
Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. When your heart is focussed upon God - when your interest is in the kingdom of God - when we give our treasure to God - we will want to know how Jesus is using our treasure - we will want to know what God is doing with it.
The first part of Chapter 12 deals with these four hazards or dangers or pitfalls in the Christian life - hypocrisy and fear - greed and worry - they appear when we think too much of what people in the world will think or say - or when we think too much of the things in the world and the things of the world. We can avoid all that so that we are able to get on with the real task.
Jesus cones off these areas. These dangers need be no bother for you. Don't let those trouble you.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.