Fellowship and giving
What we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him. If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
-1 John 1:3-7
It is a blessing to have fellowship with fellow Christians, but we always have fellowship with the Lord.
Fellowship is sharing life.
"What is God doing in your life?", is the question of fellowship.
“But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks you, and from someone who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
-Luke 6:27-36
We don't give to get, but when we give we do get. Giving to people is never "tit for tat", or always reciprocal. Giving is voluntary and obedience based. There will always be people we give to who won't give or can't give back. If we only give to those we expect a return from, we have missed the heart of God.
In every way I’ve shown you that it is necessary to help the weak by laboring like this and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
-Acts 20:35
So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
-Matthew 5:23-24
"Worship is our highest priority", right? And giving your tithes and offerings is a form of worship. But, reconciliation is actually more important than worship. Is Jesus addressing disciples of whom fellow believers hold grievances against?
This is a hard word. Baby steps towards reconciliation might be, leaving the door open, or sending a Christmas card, if you have their address. Giving up on someone, washing your hands of them, cutting them off, or purposely remaining estranged, even when the opportunity for reconciliation arises, is not the way of Christ.
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