July 24, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 30, 86, 123, 146
1 Samuel 25:1-22
Acts 14:1-18
Mark 4:21-34

II. Selections
Psalm 146:7
...who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry.

1 Samuel 25:11
" ...Shall I take my bread and my water and the meat that I have butchered for my shearers, and give it to men who come from I do not know where?" [ Nabal to David's young men]

Acts 14:17
...yet [ God] has not left himself without a witness in doing good-giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy." [ Paul and Barnabas to the crowd in Lystra]

Mark 4:24
And [ Jesus] said to [ his disciples], "Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. ... "

III. Meditation: The measure we give

You have not left yourself without a witness in doing good-
you give us rains from heaven and fruitful seasons;
you fill us with food and our hearts with joy;
you execute justice for the oppressed
and give food to the hungry.

But we do not pay attention-
like Nabal, we claim for ourselves
all you have given us; and we will not share.
"Shall we give what we own to those we do not know?"
Yet the measure we give will be the measure we get, with more.