MARK 12:29-31. And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” RIGHTS. If I love the Lord and my neighbor; I will give Him His rights to all the labor of my life. He has the right to receive from the investment He has made in this vineyard. It will be my occupation to see some on-going benefit for my labor for His glory.
If I love the Lord and my neighbor; I will give our nation the respect and tribute that is due. I am receiving benefits from living where I live. I owe allegiance and I owe it the taxes that I complain about – because all in the nation are my neighbors.
If I love the Lord and my neighbor; I will recognize and submit to the moral instructions of the law. It is my privilege to go beyond what the law demands and as a Christian to live by the spirit of the law. The expectations of law are to give clear understanding as to orderly living and the conduct of an individual in a community.
If I love the Lord and my neighbor; it will keep me with an eye to the supreme authority that is above all others. His throne, His honor, His interest will mold all my decisions to adapt to the interests of His kingdom authority.
If I love the Lord and my neighbor; I will learn from the poor widow, that nothing is mine. He has the right to everything because it came from Him in the first place. It is my privilege to give to Him from the abundance that He gave to me. The motive of my giving is more important than the amount.
“There are times, Father, when I think all the good things You have given us are mine. Today I am reminded again, that in every way and in every thing, all is Yours. It is all Yours by divine right. My hands are open (at least now). Help me to avoid the tyranny of the grasping hand. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”