That is not a matter of judgment so much as it is understanding.

Picking up where we left off yesterday I cannot let this comment go without explanation.

Luke 18:11

The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

This is as plain as it gets in saying people are judgmental. Ask any of those sinners about the Pharisee and it is likely they will label him self-righteous and they wouldn’t be wrong. There are little hints as to his attitude in this verse and some other translations indicate more.

In the ESV standing by himself indicates an attitude of setting himself apart, pride makes him unapproachable, standoffish, a pariah of his own making.

Other translations said he prayed about himself and with himself leaving God out of it. That is a form of self-talk and not the intentions behind prayer at all.

Let us be real here and admit there are people we come across in this world that make us uncomfortable. For whatever reason it is just how we feel. I have my own private list but I will not share them. We should keep our own counsel there.

The problem is that by holding ourselves aside we cannot share the gospel with those who might need it the most. We can tell ourselves not to cast our pearls before swine but we then judge someone as swine.

Love the sinner not the sin sounds fine but how do you love someone (share the gospel) if you are standoffish?

We need to be approachable without giving off airs of judgment nor approval. That is not an easy thing to do if we harbor deep seeded disgust. While I am a sinner saved by grace, I should not show my sin just to prove my point. That is like having a drink with an alcoholic while preaching abstinence. It is hypocritical.

So how can we judge a righteous judgment and serve our God?

Begin by avoiding the Pharisee’s mistake and involve God in our prayer life and listen to what God has to say before we act.

Mark 12:42

And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.

Luke 18:22

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Acts 5:2

and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

For those of us that have studied God’s Word we know the context for each of these tales. The widow who had nothing, the rich man who kept everything and Ananias and Sapphira who withheld a portion for themselves.

In the past I have asked others to share their understanding, looking for others that saw things as I understood them. Sadly not many shared in my understanding, and that is fair. So rather than ask, I will share what I see.

Devotion.

The meaning came to me as I listened to various speeches about D-Day. “They gave their last ounce of devotion.” The measure of devotion to God for each of these people is found in what is said about these people.

The Widow

Mark 12:43

And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.

The Rich man

Luke 18:24

Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!

Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:4

While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

The one thing they have in common is showing their measure of devotion. I cannot help but see that it is possible to see all of us fit somewhere within those boundaries of extreme measures of devotion. That is not a matter of judgment so much as it is understanding.