A Generous Spirit
Opening Prayer
Father, teach me to look with Your eyes and to evaluate with Your perspective, always ready to see the best in others.
Read Matthew 7:1-12
[1] “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. [2] For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [3] “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. [6] “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. [7] “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [9] “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? [11] If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! [12] So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Are your eyes clear when you judge another person?Today we are back in the carpenter’s workshop of Jesus’ youth. What a lot he learned–and now teaches us–from a tiny speck of sawdust! When did you last form a quick opinion of someone–and how right were you? In a matter of seconds, we assess another person as “better” or “worse” than ourselves, according to their appearance, background, education and prosperity. We might even judge them morally as “good” or “bad.” When Jesus meets people, he seems to be quite the opposite. His “kind but searching glance” is not of jealousy, but of acceptance and affirmation (Luke 19:5). And here he shares with us his secret: it is not our business to judge others–we can safely leave that to God who alone knows all the facts. Of course, we can’t begin to have Jesus’ openness of approach to others unless we are secure in God’s love ourselves. Jesus urges us to ask for such a blessing, which he knows will be freely given.
Apply
Is there someone you see with a negative lens? Ask God for help to see the way he does and pray for that person.
Closing prayer
Lord, help me remember that You have been patient and kind with me. Help me be the same with others.
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