by tumaini lutenta | 4 August 2019 08:46 pm08
In Luke 14:12–14 (NIV), Jesus teaches about the heart behind generosity and the eternal nature of true giving:
“Then Jesus said to the host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,
and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Jesus contrasts reciprocal generosity (giving with the expectation of return) with selfless generosity (giving without expecting anything back). The former is transactional and temporal, while the latter reflects the character of God and carries eternal reward. This calls believers to imitate God’s grace—“for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil” (Luke 6:35).
The “resurrection of the righteous” (Greek: anastasis ton dikaiōn) referenced here points to the future bodily resurrection described in Scripture (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28–29), when believers will receive their final reward. This doctrine emphasizes that God’s justice and reward extend beyond this life, highlighting the eternal significance of earthly deeds.
The Pharisee’s banquet included only the socially prominent and wealthy, reflecting a worldly perspective of honor and repayment. Jesus challenges this by instructing to invite the marginalized—“the poor, crippled, lame, and blind”—who cannot reciprocate. This is a demonstration of kingdom values where loving the neighbor is not based on social status or expected gain (Matthew 22:39).
This teaching aligns with the Sermon on the Mount’s call to love enemies and give without expectation (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:35), pointing to a life shaped by grace, not merit.
The early church echoed this principle, emphasizing generosity as a reflection of faith and trust in God’s provision:
“Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.”
— 1 Timothy 6:18 (NIV)
True giving is an expression of faith in God’s sovereignty and provision (Philippians 4:19). When believers give without expecting earthly repayment, they place their hope in God’s future reward, embracing the “treasures in heaven” that Jesus promised (Matthew 6:19–21).
God’s promise of repayment at the resurrection underscores His perfect justice (Psalm 9:7–8; Revelation 20:12–13). While human reward systems are flawed and temporal, God’s judgment is perfect, eternal, and impartial.
This teaching also encourages believers to lay up rewards in heaven, reminding us that our earthly actions have eternal consequences (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Many believers struggle with the tension between giving to those who can repay versus those who cannot. This passage warns against a self-centered view of generosity and invites us to embrace the costly grace of Christ, who gave Himself for us (Romans 5:8).
Giving to those who cannot repay echoes the character of God’s mercy and points to a life of sacrificial love (John 15:13). It is also a test of our faith and trust in God’s provision and a witness of the gospel’s transformative power.
Jesus’ teaching in Luke 14 calls believers to live by kingdom principles, putting aside worldly calculations for repayment and focusing on eternal reward and pleasing God.
As Paul exhorts:
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
— Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
May this truth encourage you to give generously, with a heart aligned to God’s will and confident in His eternal justice.
May the Lord richly bless your generosity and faithfulness. Please share this message to inspire others.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2019/08/04/you-will-be-repaid-at-the-resurrection-of-the-righteou/
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