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

~~~~~~~~~~~

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~

 

sonnet #377

4-23-15 The Lamb

There comes a day when all the universe

Will rise up with one voice and praise the Lamb,

And everything that is, though so diverse,

Acclaims the worthy One of the I AM.

The Lamb was slain for all the sins of man,

Receiving power as the Lord of Lords,

And riches of the grace that e’er began,

And wisdom far beyond the mind explored,

And strength to conquer evil dark and grim,

And honor equal to our Father God,

And glory of salvation promised Him,

And blessings evermore the heavens laud.

            The Lamb will always sit upon the throne

            Forever and forever, ever known.

            ~~~~~~~~~~~

¹¹ And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

¹² Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

¹³ And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Revelation 5:11-13 KJV

12-27-14 Alms

The hardest thing a man can learn to do

Is give what he has got unto the poor.

Forgotten is the time he was poor, too,

Now blinded by excess and wanting more.

That which he gives expecting nothing back

Is just like lending riches to the Lord.

The man who gives with love will never lack,

For God will see that he’s ten times restored.

He doesn’t have to wait until he’s asked;

If he is close to God he’ll see the need,

And if he only has two coins amassed,

The one he gives away’s a planted seed.

Have pity on the poor and those without,

For giving is what love is all about.

~~~~~~~~~~~

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD;

and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

Proverbs 19:17 KJV