Can we afford to be gracious? Genesis 32-35

People who experience God's grace and blessing can afford to be gracious to others!    When God forgives (and you realize it) than it is easier (and should be expected) to forgive others.    God's grace is mean to be contiguous.    Jacob, in his youth and with the help of his mom, had swindled his brother out of his blessing from his father, Isaac.   Earlier, with the help of Essau himself, he had stolen his birthright.   Essau had every reason to be angry at his "little" brother.   Jacob (soon to be renamed, Israel) wanted to appease this anger with gifts and sent his flocks and herds ahead of him to wear Essau down and perhaps allow his anger to subside.   Isn't it interesting that the very flocks Jacob had earned and, according to his father-in-law, stolen from Laben, Jacob was willing to simply give over to his brother Essau.   What he one time cherished and thought was his very life, Jacob now was ready to give up for his life and the life of his family.    When Essau rejects the gifts, note what Jacob says, 

Genesis 33:10-11

Jacob said, “No, please, if now I have found favor in your sight, then take my present from my hand, for I see your face as one sees the face of God, and you have received me favorably. Please take my gift which has been brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me and because I have plenty.” Thus he urged him and he took it."

God had dealt graciously with Jacob.  He could afford to extend that graciousness to his brother.   Essau may have been offended by that phrase when you put some thought into it.   It was Esaau who needed to forgive and have mercy and grace and, yet, it was Jacob offering it.   But, Jacob had realized that God had promised him blessings and protection.   He had every reason to be gracious to his brother.   Those who have been given God's grace should be the first to extend God's grace to others.   When we are in the position to do so we ought to be the first to extend a warm and "open" hand.   God blesses us so we can bless others.   That is the meaning of God's blessing to us.   We are to be hold and hoard.   We are to be open and generous ... because God was generous with us.