We have discussed the importance of keeping strife out of
your life. Let’s see how this enters into your financial affairs. In
Luke 6:27-34, Jesus is teaching about some of these things.
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do
good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse
you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And
unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also
the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid
not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh
of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them
not again. And as ye would that men should do to you,
do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which
love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love
those that love them. And if ye do good to them which
do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do
even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope
to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to
sinners, to receive as much again.
Jesus is teaching His disciples how to stay out of strife. This
is not a Christian doctrine or creed. It is designed to keep you
connected with the power of God, so you can live an overcoming
life. Love stops the work and the effect of strife by building
a protective shield around you. This shield, the shield of faith,
keeps Satan from having access to what you do, what you think
and what you are. First John 4:8 states that God is love. As a
believer, you are born of God; therefore, you are born of love.
Consequently, 1 John 5:18 says, “He that is begotten of God
keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” As long
as you keep yourself from strife, then Satan can’t touch you.
What did Paul write to Timothy about strife? In 2 Timothy
2:24-26, he said that the servant of the Lord must not strive but
minister to those that oppose him, so that God will forgive
them and they may recover themselves from the snare of the
devil, who takes them captive at his will. People in strife can be
taken captive by Satan at his will!
Strife is a worldly luxury believers cannot afford! Yet, we
invite it into our own homes without realizing it. You will do
and say things at home that you wouldn’t think of anywhere
else. Would you lie to your own family? Would you steal from
them? Of course not! Then why would you allow strife in your
home? This is the one place where heaven should be manifest.
The home is the strongest institution God built. He didn’t build
a church for Adam, He built a family!
Jesus taught in Luke 6:35-38, “But love ye your enemies, and
do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall
be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest…Be ye therefore
merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye
shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:
forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto
you.” Jesus was teaching about an existence free from strife,
absolute protection from strife in all areas of life. Then He introduced
the cardinal principle of prosperity, which is GIVE. Your
giving will not work properly until you follow these other rules.
Kenneth Copeland Ministries
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