The Least
I was reading Matthew 25:31-40 today and Christ is talking about how the righteous treat others. He ends this by saing…’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 25:38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? 25:39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 25:40 And the king will answer them, ‘I tell you the truth, just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of mine, you did it for me.’
This stirred a thought in me…
Where do we miss out during our week? As humans we are always willing to do huge projects be cause we see the profit in them, selfishly we think it will improve our situation. The small things tend to slip through the cracks and secretly we know that someone else will clean up the details, as long as we keep the big things going we think everything will be alright and we will move up some invisible ladder - occupationally or socially.
The sad part is that we even try to apply this to spiritually. We’ve all seen the people at church who are always there… The ladies who have worked in the nursery for over 50 years, or the couple who are always at the door to greet everyone with a smile, a hug, and a bulletin. We’ve also seen the ones who always show up for the big things… The Christmas production, the live band with the cool equipment, but which is best; to be present all the time or to be willing to come through when there is no one else or great need?
Christ wants us willing at all times and action oriented. When a need is presented God wants us to provide, no matter what it is. My church has been doing a lot of these things with some of the public schools in our city. We have been providing food for kids to take home on the weekends through http://twitter.com/#!/POWERPACKS_HSBC and shoes for that same school through http://twitter.com/#!/onesolepurpose . Now we have responded by coming together to buy shirts and ties for a junior high basketball team to wear on game days. We have made an impact by being willing to act on faith; not always having the means to provide, but willing to step forward and watch God provide through us.
This is it… “…Love your neighbor as yourself…” second only to”…Lovethe Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
