Generosity: The Sheep and The Goats

Sheep and goats. You know the difference.

Goats are the stubborn ones. They refuse to follow the master. They butt their heads and won’t be corralled. Sheep, although dumb, obey their shepherd. “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he’ll sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he’ll separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.He’ll put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” (Matthew 25:31-33) He’ll call the sheep unto himself and say, “… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) In essence, “You did those things unto Me. I was hungry, and you fed Me.” (Matthew 25:41)

This aspect of God’s economy is very personal. Each of us have or will have opportunities to give and care for others. We should aspire to live as sheep who follow the Good Shepherd. Just as sheep generously give away their wool, year after year after year, their entire lives are ones of giving until, ultimately, they are sacrificed and consumed  just as Jesus was. I think that’s why He calls us sheep. He wants us to be sacrificially generous with all He provides. When we acknowledge God as Lord of our lives and multiply the resources He provides, we have something to share. It’s the system He designed; the economy that carries His blessings to the lost and hurting. Faithfully manage whatever He gives in anticipation of that day that you’ll stand before Him.

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