Give Alms - Luke 11:41

The beloved physician Luke wrote how Jesus said, “Now do you Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. You fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also?”, and in chapter eleven and verse forty-one of his book Luke shared how Jesus said, “give alms of such things as you have” where we read:

But rather give alms of such things as you have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

The verse reads, “But rather give alms of such things as you have;” Luke began with the words, “but rather” or “moreover, besides, nevertheless and with exception” “give alms” which means “grant, bestow, supply and furnish mercy, pity, charity, benefaction and donation to the poor” “of such things as you have” or “pertaining to that which is within the soul”. Luke shared how Jesus told the Pharisee to “supply and furnish” “pity, charity, benefaction and donation” to the poor among them.

The verse continues, “... and, behold, all things are clean unto you.” Luke added the words, “and, behold or “and look, lo and consider”, “all things” which means “each, every, the whole and everything” “are clean unto you” or “is pure, free from corrupt desire from sin and guilt and every admixture of what is false, sincere, genuine, blameless and innocent”. Luke shared how Jesus said the result of addressing that which is “internal” would be to have “everything” “pure, sincere, blameless and innocent” to them.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus emphasized the “inward” condition of a person rather than their “outward” appearance. Jesus said the way to alter or know what a person is like inwardly is indicated by their willingness to “give”. Jesus did not say “give” more than you have, but He did acknowledge the idea of “supplying” others with that which one possesses. When this happens, “all things” become “pure, free from corrupt desire and sin, blameless and innocent” within a person. In other words, what is “within” affects how a person views things “outwardly”. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He begins to transform them “inwardly” so they will “view” and “give to” people in the same manner as He.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “woe unto you, Pharisees! For you tithe … and pass over judgment and the love of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".