Insightful Musings on the New Testament
by
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67

Ray has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical, insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.

Below are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray is following, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010.

|  Daily Reading Guide  |  2010 Devotion Archives  |
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24 May 10
    OK, dear ones.
    It's almost 8am...and I haven't done a jog yet.  So I'm going to get this off, do it, then eat breakfast, then hit the shower at 20 miles an hour, get dressed, and get into the work load of the day by about 9am.  From then on it's pure adventure.  It's really kind of nice to have these longer daylight days that allows for working late.  How's that for a day's plan of action?
    Have a blessed day.
        Love, Dad/Ray
 
24 May 2010
Passage: Luke 6:17-49
Focus: “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.”  Luke 6:30.
            This is what I would call a PROBLEM TEXT.  I’ve spent a good deal of time struggling with it over the years, having lived cross-culturally where, if I followed this statement as an absolute guide for behavior, I know I would end up with being ripped off and left with absolutely nothing…maybe less than nothing…hardly a wise approach to stewardship.
            A couple of comments on the context might be helpful.  Notice the two main ideas on either side of this statement by Jesus.  (1) This paragraph begins with identifying the kind of people Jesus is talking about.  They are “your enemies” and “those who hate you” and “those who curse you” and “those who mistreat you” (6:27-28).  Interesting.  So in the course of doing business or whatever with this kind of people and you have no means for proper arbitration in gaining justice and equity, write it off…don’t worry about it.  Just maintain the foundation of love—“Love your enemies.”  (2) The paragraph ends with the “GOLDEN RULE.”  “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (6:31).  I don’t really want to rip anyone off…and I don’t want to be ripped off.
            I’d like to pick up on this area of thought and offer some ideas relative to giving in general.  I’ve come up with a simple checklist of three conditions for general giving.  (1) I must try to determine if this is a legitimate need.  Not everyone who asks for help has a legitimate need.  I’ve been around my share of con artists who live not by honest work and responsibility but by milking others of their graciousness.  I am absolutely convinced that I am not rendering any good service to others by giving or lending in those cases.  I believe I do more harm than good if I recognize that the “help” given promotes and perpetuates irresponsibility.  (2) I must determine that I have ample to give.  (3) I must determine that my motive is LOVE…a genuine interest in the ultimate good of others.
            This may not be very “devotional”…but I think it’s practical, balanced, intelligent, and Biblical.
 
            “How pleasant life would be if people with money used it the way the people who don’t have any say they would spend it if they did.”