Openness allows me to give.
Characterized by general accessibility and having a generous attitude.
In order to be effective followers of Jesus we must possess openness to Him.
When Jesus called Zaccheus from the tree and said, “I will dine with you today,” openness took on a wonderful meaning. Zaccheus was a selfish, crooked tax collector. He charged more that was right and got rich off the interest. What he lacked in physical stature he more than made up for in material possession. And everything he had he held on to, with a death grip. But when Jesus saw Zaccheus in the tree, trying so hard to just catch a glimpse of Him, he rewarded that effort and went to his home.
Zaccheus opened the doors of his house and as a result, he himself became open. He gave back to those he stole from and generously distributed part of his wealth to the poor. He let go. He was holding so tightly to what he had managed to acquire that he had become incapable of accepting anything that was being offered to him. After Zaccheus gives his declaration of release of the control of his possessions, after he opens more than his doors, but his wallet as well, with his arms now open and empty, he is ready to receive.
“Salvation has come to this house today!” Did Christ say this to tell us that if we give money to others we can gain salvation? Did He want us to think that we could purchase a mansion on the streets of heaven the same way we could a house in the Hamptons
Lord,
That we would understand openness to You. That we would learn to release that which is preventing us from holding on to You. That we would be accessible to You and generous to You and those You love with our time and the blessings you have given us. Help us to guard our hearts, our minds, and our souls from those things that would contradict Your will for us, but to let Your Spirit fill us to overflowing.
Amen.
SDG
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