We are called and invited to accept our sacred inheritance which
includes generosity and compassion -- and to stay focused.
Don’t Come Empty-Handed
Selections from
Re’eh in Deuteronomy 11.26-16.17
This day I
set before you a blessing or a curse
Hearken to
God’s teachings or ignore the wise guidance
You are
about to pass over the Jordan (enter into
a new awareness)
Go in and
possess the land. God is expanding your borders Deut: 11.31
Your holdings and your understanding
Destroy the
nations you are dispossessing
Who have
been serving lesser gods
Vanity, self-image, greed, selfishness, gossip, anger, etc.
God is
blessing you and causing you to rest
From all
your enemies round about you (those old mind patterns)
Dwell in
safety
To live in
security God will grant you safety
From
enemies who had been around you (past
errors and foolishness)
Beware not
to be lured into the ways of the people you have replaced
Nor follow
their practices; sweep out evil from your midst
When you’re
settled take care to observe
All the teachings
and guidance I’ve set before you
Rejoice
before God with your sons and daughters
Also with
those who serve beside you Deut: 12.12
And with
the Levite within your gates (which
is your devotional heart)
Love God
with all heart and soul (which is your true nature)
Do what is
right and good in God’s eyes
Do not
partake of the blood of animals
Do not boil
a kid in its mother’s milk (have compassion) Deut: 14.21
Don’t gash
yourself; you are a consecrated people; I have chosen you
Who chooses God is chosen by God. These are the chosen people
You are a
people consecrated to God
Rejoice
before God in all that you put your hand unto (This is a
blessing)
Set aside
every year a tenth part of the yield
Spend the
money as you want
Do not
neglect the Levites who have no hereditary portion Deut: 14.27
Do not
harden your heart before the needy
Rather open
your hand; give readily without regrets
Feed
outsiders, orphans, widows and widowers (help the indigent)
Open your hand
to the poor in your land
Feed the
stranger, the fatherless, and the widow
Let them come
eat their fill
That God
may bless you in all the enterprises you undertake Deut: 14.29
Extend
loans to many, but require none yourself
Every
seventh year forgive all debts Deut: 15.12
Remember
you were enslaved
Remember
the day of your departure from bondage
Sacrifice
in the evening at sundown (good times to make offerings) Deut: 16.6
Bring burnt
offering, sacrifices, tithes and contributions
Freewill
offerings and first fruits
Do not come
before God empty-handed
We each
bring our own gifts
According
to the blessings God is bestowing on us Deut: 16.16-17
