Valentine verses
Mathew 17:24-27
1 February 2021
Valentine giving, to show feelings and love
To those who we fancy, not the one from above
Giving is not Taxing, it shows them we care
We would not be giving, to one who’s not there
Advertisers tell us, how to spend money
Retail and Tax costs, I know they’re not funny
Persuasive adverts claim, our cash is well spent
But possessions of value, are from heaven sent
Leaders want funds for temple or church
Should paid-for Services, be left in the lurch?
Offerings are not law, but if we give as we should
They’re used by God’s family, in the service of good
A king may not take cash, from his own Children loyal
Being children of our Father God, we too are Royal
Not just religious, as his children, we are free
Giving out of love, not a demanding decree
We are truly free, free indeed.
Potential family are in need
Share his love, not our greed.
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I’m inspired by the close of Matthew seventeen
What we give to who, and why, what does God mean?
Peter tried, got it wrong, but Jesus did not offend
His miracle with a fish, brought one issue to an end
The miracle in these verses, is not the only one here
Jackie received verses, soon after we got near
Despite my poor verses, she still became wife
Read love from His verses, build a new life
Something is greater than temple, Mat 12 verse six
Only God is omniscient, His Love, no tricks
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Apologies for the shotgun pellet theology with this last reference in my rhyming outburst. That’s what I call it when single verses are taken out of their context to join with others to enforce a presenter’s viewpoint.
In this case the context reassuringly aligns. Even the Devil fired bits of scripture to test Jesus in the desert. Jesus knew scripture more completely. (Luke 4)
He does the same in Mat 12 and beyond. I’ll fire my own shotgun pellets now.
Too many preachers like the stereotypical online/TV evangelists use tax style numerical arguments that focus on the total funds they’d receive. What we give to God is not the same.
“He said to them, Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Luke 20:25)
I think we should pay taxes to HMRC today in their numerical way. Matthew 17 was about giving to the Jewish temple, not the Roman rulers.
We give our time, energy, desires and hopes for loved ones very differently. I could never pay off the love Jackie has shown to me, particularly post-accident, by offering her some financial gift.
“But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. (Mark 12:42-43)
This is encouraging when feeling valueless on a personal level.
It’s not just about throwing in large amounts of money. Generosity in love is about offering valuables that are greater than cash.
I believe God consistently values the context and cost of carefully considered compassionate contributions.