James 2:16 (ESV) And one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
Source – NBC News
DISCLAIMER:- This is just my own view and my view only, please do not associate these views with any church or organization I may attend. This may offend dependent on your political or religious stance.
This to me is shocking! I am very much of the opinion that “who knows what tomorrow brings” and many of us are living paycheck to paycheck in the US. Some of us are less than 6 paychecks away from living out on the streets. Now we have people in Government (both local and national) wasting money on ticketing, fining and policing ridiculous laws to prevent feeding another human being. (That’s what we are talking about here)
We are called to “Love one another” in the gospel of John. For me, this is time that Christians stood up and took that seriously. In the book of Acts, the new Christians sold all they had and pooled the money and had it redistributed according to need. I think as the modern church (as a corporation) have lost sight of that in favor of manicured gardens, programs and lots of things to get folks in and get the tithing dollars into the plate. We need to look at what we are doing. If our church is rolling in money but the neighbors are all destitute then what are we doing?
This could be the controversial part, I don’t think that this is the Government’s job! We should be helping the poor, the sick and the needy. Jesus said the following:
Matthew 25:35 (ESV) For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Sounds easy huh? Bet you are looking at your bank account and sighing thinking “I can’t do much” even if you have very little the LORD has made provision for you.
Luke 3:10 (ESV) And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”
It could be as easy as buying a “McDouble” for a guy who is out in 110F heat with a placard saying “hungry and homeless”. (I have done this in the past! – I was getting my own food and the guy looked hungry!) Let’s get real, we know our own situation, some of us have big houses, some little, some of us have money, some not so much, some of us are willing givers, others will give when they have to. I would like to offer the same courtesy and love that I would hope to be offered if I was worse off than I am now.
It is easy for me to say, me having a little to give. But the truth is we are commanded to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16) We should abandon this idea that we have of partiality, we read in the book of James (James 2:1-3) not to show partiality, but we do, in wealth, social status, popularity and many other things. (See my wife’s blog about showing partiality here, she wrote an awesome blog about this)
Truth is, I could show you another 10-12 bible verses that advise that this is what we should be doing as Christians, but the change starts with you, the reader, you are either going to have a heart to make a difference or you are not. I pray that you think about what you could be doing in Jesus name. It is a great way to share the gospel.
Please comment and give whatever feedback you wish, I pray this was an exhortation or challenge for you.
God bless
TTE
Taking the Epistle 