What credit is that to you?

                                         What credit is that to you?

A certain man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, on the way he was robbed by thieves and left on the road wounded and half dead. A priest and a Levite pass by the same way but do not show mercy or attend to the needs of the beaten man. A Samaritan who passed by stopped and cleaned his wounds and saddled him on his donkey and put him in an inn. He also promised to pay for all the extra expenses. This parable was narrated by Jesus; we read it in Luke 10 verses 30-35.

We are called "to go the extra mile". Jesus has told us, in Mathew 10:41 “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” The Samaritan helped the wounded man without expecting anything in return.

In Old Testament it is said in Exodus 22:25, ““If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.”

It basically tells us that the Israelites had to lend without interest for the poor countrymen. They also had to cancel their debts in the seventh year, the year of remission. 

             

But Jesus Christ tells us something more, He says "Lend, expecting nothing in return". It's true that if there is anything we like to add to our credit we need to go one step forward. “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” Matthew 5:46-47. "

And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:33-36

The gist of Jesus' words is that we are to do better than sinners, and even sinners lend without charging interest. There is nothing extraordinary about lending to others without charging interest. That being so, Jesus' command to "lend, expecting nothing in return" means that we should lend, and if our borrowers repay us, great, but if they don't, we should not hold them to it, effectively turning our loans into gifts. And in this way we can demonstrate the virtue of love and mercy.

We need to be merciful! Our God watches even the cup of cold water that is given to the least of our brothers. How much more will He add to your credit the things you have mercifully done. Therefore "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”Matthew 5:42.

I want to conclude with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ who promised us saying "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” Revelation 22:12 . Let us keep on doing good deeds that will be credited to us by our Heavenly Father in due time.

                                                                                                            -- Dr. Satya Paul

Read More

THE LORD HAS DONE THIS FOR ME!!

                           THE LORD HAS DONE THIS FOR ME!!

How many times do we tell of what the Lord has done in our lives? The Psalmist says: Sing Praises to the Lord….Proclaim among the Nations what He has done. (Psalm9:11) We are called to make known to the Nations what He has done. (Psalm 105:1) Many a times we take things for granted, we don’t realize it’s the Lords hand that has given us the victory.

When Jesus sailed across the lake of Galilee to the region of Gerasenes, He was met by a demon possessed man. We read in the scriptures, that this man for a long time had worn no clothes and had not lived in a house. But Jesus brought a great deliverance to this man who had many demons within him. When the people found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind, they were frightened. Jesus sent the man who was cured saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” (Luke 8:39)

So the man went away and told all over the town how much Jesus had done for him. Sometimes we forget to tell about the Lord who does the miracles in our lives. For surely the great Red sea and Jordan would not have parted in our lives if not for our Mighty God.

We, who have benefitted from our God, should tell of Him, and also rejoice for what He has done in our lives. Psalm 118:23, 24 we read “the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes… let us rejoice today and be glad.”

  

In Luke chapter 1 in verses 46-55 we read Mary’s hymn of Praise. She praises God saying: “for the Mighty One has done great things for me- Holy is His name.” It is the Lord we got to proclaim and magnify. For it is the Lord our God who delivers, heals, restores, blesses, and sets us on high. Let us remember and proclaim as in Psalms 126:3 “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”                                                                                        --- Dr. Satya Paul

Read More

WILL A MAN ROB GOD?

                                                             WILL A MAN ROB GOD?

In Psalms 24:1 we read, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” The Lord says in Malachi 3:8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me...”  How sad that we humans are not true, to give unto GOD what belongs to Him.  We need to set things right with God. When we fail to render unto God what He has set apart for Him, we truly rob Him!!Let us examine ourselves this day, to see if there is anything that we have withheld from Him.

In Book of Malachi we read that the people have failed to bring the tithes and offerings before God. Tithe is basically a tenth of all the produce. The dedication of a tenth to God was recognized as a duty even before the time of Moses. In Genesis 14:20, Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek. Jacob vowed unto the Lord saying: “.. and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” (Gen 28:22) The first Mosaic Law is recorded in Leviticus 27:30-32.

In paying Tithes, we receive God’s blessings. Malachi 3:10 says “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouses, and prove me now herewith, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” God blesses the people who pay tithes. Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. (Luke 6:38)

Jesus Christ noticed the widow who put money into the treasury. He noticed what Cornelius was giving. He noticed what Israel was not giving. God said that the whole nation of Israel was cursed because they had not given God His due. He surely does notice all that we do.

For those who still think it’s an Old Testament law, I want you to read Mathew 23:23. Jesus did not criticize the Pharisees for paying tithes, He commended them. Jesus said …” You give a tenth of your spices- mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law- justice mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former”.

We should not forget God owns the entire world and its substance. David the King prays unto God saying “..Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from your hand.” (1 Chronicles 29:14) It is God who gives people the power to obtain wealth. (Eccl: 5:19) So let us cheerfully give unto God the tithes and offerings and thereby enjoy God’s blessings in our lives.                                                                                                       ---------       Dr. Satya Paul

Read More