Bible Question:
Referring to Matt 5:40 and Luke 6:29, are we to let everyone who wants it have what is ours?? I'm confused. My stepmom(didn't raise us or contribute to my parents' home or savings..married my dad AFTER he retired and my mom died) destroyed my dad's will, claiming everything for herself (even down to my parent's wedding bands and my grandparent's picture). She refuses to turn over anything. By law, without a will, 1/4 of the home is mine. She abused my father horribly in the last years of his life and has lived there rent free now for years. Finally I just want closure and told her lawyer to liquidate my portion. She refuses to sell the house or buy me out. (She has 20x the amount of cash it would take to buy me out, so money is not the issue, she just wants to be mean) I was told I have no recourse other than to sue her to release my portion. My sister is unemployed,in her 50s and living in a horrendously dangerous area of town so I can't just tell my stepmom to keep it without endangering my sis's future. Also, I feel it would dishonor both of my parents as they worked their whole lives for this house. Incidently, my father's intent was for the kids to get half of everything which would have been valued at about 6 times what the house is worth. By destroying the will, she got to keep it all, except for 1/4 of the house, but now refuses to turn that over as well. Reading scripture, I'm not sure what I am to do.... honor my mother and father or give my stepmom everything, even if it means my sister or I could end up homeless? Any Godly counsel out there?? Thank you Matt 5:40 "If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 2 Luke 6:29 "Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. |
Bible Answer: Dear Starfire, I would like to offer my humble answer to your question. I think Matt 5:40 and Luke 6:29 is not telling us to be a coward. In Matthew 5, Jesus began his teaching to his disciples on the Beatitudes and so on, and there were hints on what they would have faced in future as a follower of Jesus. In Luke 6:29, as you have read, Jesus talked about loving your enemy. Here Jesus had pushed the requirement to the extreme. Therefore, I would consider that Jesus was telling us to prepare our HEART first when we experience all kinds of evil done to us (since in reality, there is often unjustice everywhere). In doing so, we can refrain from anger and bitterness if we fail to claim back our rights or possession (in your case). Don't be upset, please read Rome 12:19. Don't give up hope, please read Luke 18:1-6. Lift up your heart and get strength, please read Prov 24:10, Isaiah 30:15, 40:29, 40:31, 41:10 and Ezek 34:16. Get strength in His peace, then you and your sister can be strong enough to face the difficulties laid before you. Hope this answers your question. God bless you. Azure |