6-2-15 Give When You’ve Got

giving

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

10-19-14 The Lord’s Prayer 04: Forgive Us

forgive us

O Father God, forgive us each our sins,

Not that we do deserve it but through grace,

And when in our repentance then begins

With faith to know that Jesus took our place.

We had a debt to You that Christ has paid,

Then understand that we should be like Him

To thus forgive the sins against us made,

No matter how mundane, how much, how grim.

Let us not think when we forgive a debt

That we should be forgiven just the same,

But with no strings attached to then beget,

Forgiving as You do, no more to blame.

O God, forgive us now on bended knee,

As we forgive our brother faithfully.

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And forgive us our debts,

as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:12 KJV