Tuesday 23 Jul 2013

Tuesday Reading: Luke 3:10-14

Key Verse: Luke 3:11
11  He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

Devotion:
When the people started asking Jesus what they should be doing and how they should be acting He had some specific answers to give them; I firmly believe that these would have been aimed at the people who were experiencing these issues in their lives. Just as when we read God’s Word now we find guidance in our modern society from words written to cover societies from ancient times, we can still find great truth and guidance in these words.

Jesus first guidance to the common people listening in (the Scribes and Pharisees seemed to turn their back on Him at this stage) was that they should care for others as if they were their own. If one person had two coats and another did not have one, the that person should give to the one who did not have. This behaviour needs to become part of our Christian lives to show that we do care for others just as Christ cared for all sinners around Him. This is not a commandment but rather guidance given to each person to exercise love and compassion as they see the needs of others. Oh that we would see more of this nowadays!

Then Jesus aimed another snippet of guidance to those amongst them that were overcharging the rich just because they thought they could afford it better. If the rich want to give more, then let them give more; but we should not extract more because we think they should do so. We need a common set of rules and prices and charges, and they should apply to all people.

Then Jesus aimed another snippet at the soldiers to make sure that they understood that being part of an army or any policing force did not give them the authority to abuse their positions but rather to assert the truth and justice. People should also be content with the wages that they have agreed with their employers and not demand more just because they have now attained a position of authority. Equally employers should be paying a fair wage just as sellers should be charging a fair price. God wants us to live together in harmony and not to constantly fight and argue because that will not lead toward Christian harmony!

Points to Ponder:
Do you trust others to be fair?

Do you think you are fair?