SCRIPTURE
"When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, your brothers, your relatives, or your rich neighbors, because they might invite you back, and you would be repaid. On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:112-14)
OBSERVATION
Jesus challenges his followers to a life of self-sacrifice. Much of our lives can be lived with a "what's in it for me attitude." Jesus turns that thinking upside down. In this paragraph he teaches us to do something for people who will not be able to repay. He actually challenges us to seek opportunities where there will be nothing "in it for me." We are to look out for the less fortunate and those who do not have the means to return the favor. Jesus is always concerned for the "least of these" in the world. The blessing comes not by being repaid by others but by being repaid by Jesus.
APPLICATION
This eliminates the motivation of selfishness. I'm not helping someone to receive something in return. In fact, if all of my accounts are settled (the kind things I do are repaid) then there is nothing left for Jesus to repay. My goal is to have as many accounts unsettled (doing things for people who cannot repay) so when Jesus returns my payment will come from him. I need to live my life out-giving others to receive the ultimate from Jesus by hearing him say, "Well done good and faithful servant."
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see people who are in need and to help those who cannot repay.
