https://odb.org/2023/11/23/unexpected-blessing-2
I think the teaching of Jesus in Luke 14:12-14 to invite strangers and the needy to banquets is probably something not practised much in most societies except maybe those in smaller villages. In the kampongs (village in Malay) in Malaysia, however, people do throw kenduris (a feast in Malay) where everyone in the village is invited. But for a proper banquet like the lavish 9-course Chinese dinners, it is unheard of to open the doors to everyone. In fact, wedding dinner gate-crashers (uninvited guests) are frowned upon and looked at in disgust. Obviously, fewer people are charitable to give away seats, which cost borders RM200 nowadays. Thus, Chinese dinners are always on an RSVP basis – short for a French phrase, respondez s’il vous plait, meaning “respond if you please.”
But the teaching of Jesus is not so much opening banquets to the poor and needy, but more to bless others who can’t proportionately bless us back in return. It is not about taking turns buying lunch at work but more of a senior manager buying a meal for an intern. Or when we first started out working, buying a round of drinks for the table is something we couldn’t afford when we actually needed to count the cost of our daily meals. Thus, it is that person buying that round of drinks. Or the situation where you lend someone some money knowing that it will likely not be repaid. Thus, the spiritual principles taught by Jesus in Luke 12 were to bless others who can’t return the favour as well as to look out for the needy and poor. In the end, God’s grace and compassion are always with the least in society – the weak and downtrodden, the widows, orphans, and foreigners (migrants).
When relating with God, we can not avoid touching on issues dear to His heart. Generosity as individuals and even as a church is dear to God. We can not be stingy and yet expect to be close to God. Closeness to God is not ritualistic but following Him to do the things dear to His heart. If God is generous, it is clearly wrong for us to be stingy.
Ronnie's Thoughts 