What does Luke 14:12-14 mean?

[Pag_Hingowa]

Luke 14:12-14 said:

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Why ignore friends, brothers or sisters, relatives, or rich neighbors in a meal/feast? Are they not significant portion?

I hope someone can illuminate me. Thank you.

 

[roselily]

Luke 14:12-14 said:

Why ignore friends, brothers or sisters, relatives, or rich neighbors in a meal/feast? Are they not significant portion?

I hope someone can illuminate me. Thank you.

:angel1:
Luke 14
12 He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid.13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

O dear Pag Hingowa , This words has nothing to do with luncheon or a dinner, I have believe Christ want tell us if we want do good, not to do to those who can repay us back; but do good to those who can not repay us back; think, then, you will be blessed and repaid by above.

 

[James_OPL]

Luke 14:12-14 said:

Why ignore friends, brothers or sisters, relatives, or rich neighbors in a meal/feast? Are they not significant portion?

I hope someone can illuminate me. Thank you.

The intention of this parable is to show the disciples that when you give, give without expecting return. To tune your heart to give for love of God and neighbor. But it is a two fold message, because Jesus is also saying to take care of the poor and the hungry. Those who cannot repay you. And on judgment day, you will be rewarded for your good deeds .

James

 

[Cryptic1]

Luke 14:12-14 said:

Why ignore friends, brothers or sisters, relatives, or rich neighbors in a meal/feast? Are they not significant portion?

I hope someone can illuminate me. Thank you.

Jesus spoke in parables to confound the religious leaders of his day, but the parables speak plainly to those who are pure of heart.

Jesus is not commanding us to ignore our loved ones, but is trying to get us to open the eyes of our heart to recognize the broken people in our lives–“the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind”. It is so easy to love those we already love, our family and friends, with whom we have established relationships. But it is never easy to love people who are broken or people who are not like us. Jesus has been called the “Great Physician” and he stated repeatedly that his mission was not to care for those who were well, but to minister to those who were sick. In today’s society, it might be someone who’s having a hard time making ends meet or a single parent who needs a break. You don’t have to go far in your social circle to see that there’s a need out there somewhere.

When God puts broken people on our path, He also puts the desires in our hearts so we are moved to help them. There are many hurting people who are just looking for a kind word or someone to talk to–it doesn’t take that much to make a difference in this world of ours.

If you are willing, God is able to use you wherever you are, whether you think you’re ready or not. We only have today, so let’s start letting God use us to accomplish His will one day at a time.

 

[User124]

Luke 14:12-14 said:

Why ignore friends, brothers or sisters, relatives, or rich neighbors in a meal/feast? Are they not significant portion?

I hope someone can illuminate me. Thank you.

It means you should love and take care of everyone in need, just like your friends and relatives.
Or not?

 

[Pag_Hingowa]

O dear Pag Hingowa , This words has nothing to do with luncheon or a dinner, I have believe Christ want tell us if we want do good, not to do to those who can repay us back; but do good to those who can not repay us back; think, then, you will be blessed and repaid by above.

Sorry, I thought the passage is about dinning in the Eucharist (a meal).

 

[just_came_back]

What does Jesus say about neighbors who due to their drug use, use their weaknesses to prey upon charitable hearts, constantly lie about health problems to get money for drugs, and go from church to church with a sob story and never pay these people back?

I had such a neighbor, he has moved away, and I filed a no trespassing notice against him. He’s a junkie and no, I refused to help him because I know deep down he was hooked on drugs. He took money and food from churches like people drink water.

I would hope God wouldn’t judge me for not helping him. There’s a difference between TRULY poor and somebody on dope being a bum taking advantage of someone’s good nature.

 

[thistle]

Luke 14:12-14 said:

Why ignore friends, brothers or sisters, relatives, or rich neighbors in a meal/feast? Are they not significant portion?

I hope someone can illuminate me. Thank you.

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 12. Christ does not here forbid the invitation of friends and relatives, since that would be acting directly contrary to his own maxims and spirit, which breathe nothing but charity and union. He merely wishes to purify our motives in the disposal of our charity, by insinuating that there is more merit in giving to the indigent, from whom we can expect no remuneration. (Calmet) — It is only an effect of avarice, to be liberal to those who will repay us, says St. Ambrose. It is our duty as acknowledged even by heathens (Cicero de Off. lib. i.) to assist those who stand most in need of it; but our practice says the same author, is to be most obsequious to those from whom we expect most, though they want our services the least. St. Ambrose, Ven. Bede, and St. Chrysostom are of the same opinion.

 

[bzkoss236]

What does Jesus say about neighbors who due to their drug use, use their weaknesses to prey upon charitable hearts, constantly lie about health problems to get money for drugs, and go from church to church with a sob story and never pay these people back?

I had such a neighbor, he has moved away, and I filed a no trespassing notice against him. He’s a junkie and no, I refused to help him because I know deep down he was hooked on drugs. He took money and food from churches like people drink water.

I would hope God wouldn’t judge me for not helping him. There’s a difference between TRULY poor and somebody on dope being a bum taking advantage of someone’s good nature.

Does God always give us exactly what we ask for. God gives us what we need, it is our job to accept it. I think you were only half right, half wrong about what you did. While it is easiest just to decline him what he wants, where I feel you may have been wrong is that you didn’t help him with what he needed. If you didn’t have the resources to help him, then you would be able to seek out someone or somewhere that can help him. He needed help with his addiction and drug abuse. If you were able to help him with that in some way, to make him clean from his wrong-doing, then that is what I would have suggested you done. But like I said, if you didn’t personally have the resources to help him, then I would have said that it was your duty to find someone that could. But you were right in not feeding his wrong-doing.

Good luck, and God bless!

As for the OP:
I agree with the others, it isn’t about the meal, and it isn’t about rejecting your family and friends, it is about showing that you need to give of yourself without expecting anything in return. If you give to those whom you believe will not pay you back and give anyway, then you will be blessed. It’s almost like karma, but not.

 

[roselily]

Sorry, I thought the passage is about dinning in the Eucharist (a meal).

Do not say sorry, and that, - you and other brothers sisters know more than me. I do not know many things, and that I read many threads and I do not know the answers, I am the least to know the answers.

:angel1:May God bless dear Pag Hingowa and all dear brothers sisters, it is I have learned many wisdom from you.

 

[bzkoss236]

Do not say sorry, and that, - you and other brothers sisters know more than me. I do not know many things, and that I read many threads and I do not know the answers, I am the least to know the answers.

:angel1:May God bless dear Pag Hingowa and all dear brothers sisters, it is I have learned many wisdom from you.

The least will become the greatest

 

[roselily]

The least will become the greatest

I do not know many things, but I know brothers sisters like you dear Bzhosee are wonderful blessings in our lives in this world, and in future in God new earth and new heavens and forever and ever.

I have a card to you dear Bzhoss and dear brothers sisters,
“Your faith in Christ is an inspiration and your kindness reflects the loving heart of God…”


“Your faith in Christ is an inspiration and your kindness reflects the loving heart of God…”

 

[Taestron]

Another thing to think about from a more modern perspective. Much work is being done in the area of patron-client relationships which is much of what the social interaction of the ancient world was. This is really a complex version of “scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” Inviting rich people or your family to a meal wouldn’t be out of Christian charity but out of a drive for self advancement. Jesus wanted to challenge this and introduce the idea of acting purely for the other persons benefit. So, no don’t actually ignore those who are in need of love and respect.