Hi Janice
Thank you for your kind words, and perhaps I am looking at this the wrong way; however, maybe I can present my understanding a little differently. Let us for example, imagine a class of young children; some bright, some rich, some healthy and lot's just plain average and sickly. Now imagine that the teacher for no apparent reason, picks out 5% (just a number) and gives them special treatment, tutition and attention. Perhaps the teacher provides these "special" pupils after hours tution as well.
But there is nothing special about these children, some are bright, some are poor and some are sickly; goodness knows that the other children are clueless as to why "some" are receiving special treatment, while they themselves are not.
Now let us consider how the children would feel if the teacher started calling the remainder of the class as: fools, hypocrittess and a joke. Oh sure, some may gleefully agree, and voice the same, lauding their good fortune over those whom they themselves were just a few days, weeks or months were right with them.
Yet others, would see well that they have no reason to boast, knowing well that it was nothing that they did or can give that has earned their special treatment. They know that if not for thier being picked out, they would be right where the others are now. Do they think the others as jokes, or idiots? Heck no and neither do they think it is funny; why would they? Did the teacher do it for "their" amusment?
Perhaps the teacher finds immense amusement from his/her actions, but were these actions for the amusement of the few?
Luk 12:32
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. - The word "pleased" is key here: Pleased - eudokeō [G2106]
1) it seems good to one, is one's good pleasure
a) think it good, choose, determine, decide
b) to do willingly
c) to be ready to, to prefer, choose rather
2) to be well pleased with, take pleasure in, to be favourably inclined towards one
Luk 12:33
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. - Are we not to give what little we have to those who are poor in Spirit? Are not the purses that we make for ourselves that will not wear out, the same purses that contain the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Gal 5:22,23)
Luke 12:34
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. I firmly believe that the good fortune given to the children is for their benefit and growth. Which of the children would you think are being most responsible regarding the "gift" of good fortune giving them: those scoffing out those less fortunate, or those who are in any way they can, sharing the things they ahve learned with the others so that they too can have some hope of getting good grades too.
Are these not the same Spirit driven principles expected of us?
Thanks Janice, I hope this helps you see where I am coming from.
If anyone has any comments on this, please share them.
Love n Christ,
Darren