God Thought 9/16/2026
Upper Room Devotional
Give to Those Who Ask
Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27-31
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. - Luke 6:30 (NIV)
When I’m leaving my neighborhood grocery store, I often see a young man standing on the street corner, holding a sign. It says, “Homeless. Please give. Anything helps.” He stands there week after week, hoping someone will notice him and contribute. I’ve grown used to seeing him, and I don’t always remember to notice whether he’s there. Occasionally, I give him a few dollars, but I wonder: Is my money truly helping him?
Then I read Luke 6:30 — “Give to everyone who asks.” And I ponder what it would be like to live out these words of Jesus wholeheartedly. Jesus doesn’t ask me to set up a charity organization or determine what the man should be doing with his life. Jesus just asks me to give. What if I simply give what I can to everyone who asks — without judgment about whether they need it or whether it will be used well? What if I make an extra effort to be present and attentive to those around me who need help?
Some days I can give the man one dollar. Some days I can give five dollars. And some days all I can give is a heartfelt prayer as I drive by. But when I give what I can to everyone who asks, I can trust that I’m listening to Jesus’ words and learning to follow him more closely.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to truly see the people asking us for help and to respond. Amen.
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. - Luke 6:30 (NIV)
When I’m leaving my neighborhood grocery store, I often see a young man standing on the street corner, holding a sign. It says, “Homeless. Please give. Anything helps.” He stands there week after week, hoping someone will notice him and contribute. I’ve grown used to seeing him, and I don’t always remember to notice whether he’s there. Occasionally, I give him a few dollars, but I wonder: Is my money truly helping him?
Then I read Luke 6:30 — “Give to everyone who asks.” And I ponder what it would be like to live out these words of Jesus wholeheartedly. Jesus doesn’t ask me to set up a charity organization or determine what the man should be doing with his life. Jesus just asks me to give. What if I simply give what I can to everyone who asks — without judgment about whether they need it or whether it will be used well? What if I make an extra effort to be present and attentive to those around me who need help?
Some days I can give the man one dollar. Some days I can give five dollars. And some days all I can give is a heartfelt prayer as I drive by. But when I give what I can to everyone who asks, I can trust that I’m listening to Jesus’ words and learning to follow him more closely.
Prayer: Dear God, help us to truly see the people asking us for help and to respond. Amen.
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