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

4-16-15 Give and Take

What do you own that God has not conferred?

The same is yours to take with you at death.

The wealth you gained, the debt you once incurred

Mean nothing when you’ve drawn your final breath.

For naked did you come; the same to go,

And all you wear between the two is thread.

The only covering that’s worth to show

Came from the Son of God, the blood He shed.

The Lord does give; He also takes away,

But once you are His child it’s understood.

The Earth and all that’s in it will decay,

But your eternal Home is here for good.

Now let us praise the holy name of God,

And all that He has given us be awed!

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Naked came I out of my mother’s womb,

and naked shall I return thither:

the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away;

blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job 1:21 KJV

4-9-15 The Bond of Peace

The Holy Spirit binds us all as one

Who came unto the shadow of the cross

And gave our life to Christ, God’s first-born Son,

Now counted closer than a family’s gloss.

So here we are as one and Spirit led.

The things that caused contention surely cease,

For now the love of Christ’s the common thread

That brings so naturally a bond of peace.

Where there was once dissension we find grace,

No longer slave to sin and anger’s hook;

Forgiveness helps us run the longer race,

A stamina not gained by hook or crook.

When differences arise within the flock,

The key of Christ will open any lock.

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Endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit

in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:3 KJV