I've found myself so immersed in thinking about this notion we as Americans/non-Americans alike, a general population, and humans have that we will surely reap what we sow here on earth. I mean...if we give x amount of dollars...and help out a few homeless people won't our lives here on this earth be better?
No!
Karma began as Buddist and Hindu religions spread the world that how we live our lives here on earth will directly be the result of our "reincarnation" (which, I do not believe in either)...however, as a general population we use the term "karma" ever so often and with such conviction that "so and so will surely get what they put out..." and that "the wrong they did to me will come back to bite them." It's strangely scary how convinced we are that what we put out...we will get in return. And, for some, the reason they are kind to the homeless...the reason they give x amount of dollars is this stern grasp believing that since they've given...they will receive...HERE ON EARTH. I'm here to tell ya, that just is not the case.
Look at the life of Jesus on earth! Jesus gave...loved...and was generous in self-sacrifice...asking for nothing in return...my goodness...they put nails in His hands and feet...they hung Him from a cross! So, this said...you'll have a hard time convincing me that my kind and generous works will reap me much in earthly treasures.
I'm storing up treasures in Heaven...and I'm not getting to Heaven by my good works. The Bible directly tells us that we will reap what we sow...but, it so seems that we've taken on the approach that "I'll do good...because good will come back to me." Ok...well, what if you just did good...to do good? What if you gave with a generous non-demanding heart...what if you lend a hand-up to someone in need without hoping you might gain something in return.
It seems like when we give...we often give on terms of a contingency. And, all too often that contingency is with God..."God...I did this...so...why aren't you doing that?" I think maybe we need to change our thinking a bit. Maybe in all of our giving, doing, going, helping, donating, and self-sacrifice...perhaps in all of that we need to do it...just to do it...do it to give all of the glory to God.
I feel it appropriate to reiterate our good works don't get us into Heaven...it's our belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ...that's our ticket. This said...I do believe it's important to give...to help...to be christ-like in our efforts to help another. But, this notion that everything we put out...we will get back...I just don't buy it...and, I think we tend to use the term with a few too many ounces of conviction.
Job 4:8 says, "As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it."
I think sometimes we forget that there is a BIG eternity after this life...and we can either live it...we can live that beautiful eternity...see that magnificent place that has been prepared for us...or we can suffer in hell. Maybe we need to look outside the box of what this world can give us...and into what we want our eternity to look like. Stop looking for what you will get in return...give and do...just because it's all for Gods glory.
No!
Karma began as Buddist and Hindu religions spread the world that how we live our lives here on earth will directly be the result of our "reincarnation" (which, I do not believe in either)...however, as a general population we use the term "karma" ever so often and with such conviction that "so and so will surely get what they put out..." and that "the wrong they did to me will come back to bite them." It's strangely scary how convinced we are that what we put out...we will get in return. And, for some, the reason they are kind to the homeless...the reason they give x amount of dollars is this stern grasp believing that since they've given...they will receive...HERE ON EARTH. I'm here to tell ya, that just is not the case.
Look at the life of Jesus on earth! Jesus gave...loved...and was generous in self-sacrifice...asking for nothing in return...my goodness...they put nails in His hands and feet...they hung Him from a cross! So, this said...you'll have a hard time convincing me that my kind and generous works will reap me much in earthly treasures.
I'm storing up treasures in Heaven...and I'm not getting to Heaven by my good works. The Bible directly tells us that we will reap what we sow...but, it so seems that we've taken on the approach that "I'll do good...because good will come back to me." Ok...well, what if you just did good...to do good? What if you gave with a generous non-demanding heart...what if you lend a hand-up to someone in need without hoping you might gain something in return.
It seems like when we give...we often give on terms of a contingency. And, all too often that contingency is with God..."God...I did this...so...why aren't you doing that?" I think maybe we need to change our thinking a bit. Maybe in all of our giving, doing, going, helping, donating, and self-sacrifice...perhaps in all of that we need to do it...just to do it...do it to give all of the glory to God.
I feel it appropriate to reiterate our good works don't get us into Heaven...it's our belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ...that's our ticket. This said...I do believe it's important to give...to help...to be christ-like in our efforts to help another. But, this notion that everything we put out...we will get back...I just don't buy it...and, I think we tend to use the term with a few too many ounces of conviction.
Job 4:8 says, "As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it."
I think sometimes we forget that there is a BIG eternity after this life...and we can either live it...we can live that beautiful eternity...see that magnificent place that has been prepared for us...or we can suffer in hell. Maybe we need to look outside the box of what this world can give us...and into what we want our eternity to look like. Stop looking for what you will get in return...give and do...just because it's all for Gods glory.