6-2-15 Give When You’ve Got

¹³ For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:

¹⁴ But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

¹⁵ As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 KJV

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To love your neighbor as yourself is work,

But work that stems from love is worth the sweat,

And if you have abundance do not shirk

To give to those whose needs have not been met.

If your own children had no food to eat,

You’d ask your wealthy neighbor for some aid.

Then when you’ve gained your riches so complete,

Please help a hungry family who’s dismayed.

The scales of love are balanced when you give,

For we are all but equal in God’s eyes,

And even if your neighbor is a sieve,

Still love him as yourself – don’t compromise.

A man that gathers much has no surplus;

And he that gathers scant lacks nothing thus.

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sonnet #377

1-6-15 On Parenting

Good manners start at home when we are young,

And there is taught responsibility.

We are instructed how to mind our tongue,

And also shown reliability.

Our parents should have trained you how to be

A balanced, helpful member of the earth,

And if they did we all might surely see

That you were raised up well by them from birth.

Prepare a child the way that he should go

And as he ages he won’t part from it;

The way a man acts now will likely show

The things his folks did not or did permit.

If you did not grow up with care and love,

Look to the Word these things from God above.

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Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 KJV