Levi, the publican, who worked for Rome as a tax collector, on receiving the Master's invitation, left everything, got up and followed Him. With this attitude, he showed that he had found what he was looking for. Faith in Christ leads us to make good decisions that will last forever. What's more, these choices will result in many graces that people will give to God for our lives. There is nothing better than leading souls to repentance, because Jesus came into the world for this purpose.

           Because he understood his purpose in Jesus' group, the tax collector held a party and invited the lost to meet the One who had changed their history. Heeding the prompting of God's Spirit is a great profit: Then He said also to Him who invited him, ‘When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid’ (Luke 14:12).

           Levi must have been very loved, since he loved God very much. We have seen people with few financial resources who, when they were converted, also threw a “party” for the Lord, sponsoring missions and building churches. When Jesus returns to earth, they will see the result of this proof of love: Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little (Luke 7.47).

                  It's true that faith for some is all about healing their ailments and the prosperity offered by the Bible. These individuals hardly help to recover the lives that are in the gutters of worldliness. We were saved to do as the Savior did: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38). This is the best of the Gospel!

           Levi didn't invite people to show how “generous” he was, but to come to the feast and sit with him and the Master. There is no greater joy than seeing friends from the past handed over to Jesus and, in a short time, sent to Heaven. Restoring lives is the best task here, because it gives us dignity and usefulness. Those who allow themselves to be led astray by temptation will regret it immensely. You and your family must work in the ministry!

           We don't know why the Pharisees were there, since they only knew how to criticize. However, their words ended up helping others to understand God's love. May everyone share in Jesus' faith and love. Spend time thinking about the purpose of Christ's coming into the world, as Paul said: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief (1 Timothy 1.15).

           Let the Holy Spirit tell you what to do and get to work! Your offering will be returned multiplied. The law of sowing and reaping is true: Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you (Luke 6.38). How faithful is our God!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares