Jesus offers his host a somewhat humorous suggestion that the tables may be turned someday. "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid."
Did you ever wonder, "what's wrong with being repaid?" Think of it, the two men are watching the guests scramble for the best seats and Jesus tells the prominent Pharisee that his turn in the scramble is coming. You are going to look just like these people in their pride and self proclaimed honor. "And so you will be repaid."
Jesus further suggests that it may be better not to be repaid in this life. I think his lesson here is to use our earthly resources to be a blessing. Sharing our possessions with people who can be counted upon to pass them back to us is not truly giving. That is only loaning. The blessing of loaning is short-term. The fun and fellowship are great, but limited to this life. The blessing of giving is to act like God acts when He gave to us. We are to share our blessings.
"But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed."(14:13-14a) His advice is to give freely with those who cannot repay. This is not to create debt or obligation on the guests. This is to allow us to bless others with generosity.
Jesus has blessed us and we cannot completely repay Him. But we can be a part of His blessing to someone else.
When will we be repaid? and by Whom?
Share your blessings!
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