When was the last time you looked around and noticed someone in need? Today? Yesterday? Last month? Did you do something about it?
Uh oh. I’m not sure I like my answer.
The ugly truth is that often we use excuses, judgments and fear to keep us from helping others. We spend way too much time worrying about our own needs and wants instead of doing a kind gesture for someone else. Sigh.
Honestly, we have no idea what others are going through, what their pain is or how much they hurt. And I’m not even sure that we care that much, because God forbid that we actually put ourselves out for someone else. Harsh? Yes. True? Probably.
Why is that?
Over and over again, we are told and shown how much better it is to give than it is to receive.
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35
Don’t know about you, but I’m always amazed at the mountain of blessings I receive after I do something nice and unwarranted for another! Ahhhh, the joy of doing the right thing!
However, these boons don’t normally stop me from continuing to take as much as I can get, fight for my share and miserly hide my mountain of blessings so no one can take them from me.
GRRR!!!! Being human can be so annoying!!!
Thus, you won’t be surprised by my scripture reading this morning:
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 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…. Matthew 25:31-46
This bit of prophecy cuts me to the core on a million different levels. Mainly, it reveals to me what I should be doing, what I am not doing, and what will happen if I don’t get my act together. I REALLY DON’T WANT TO BE A GOAT.
On another note, what many of us don’t realize is that the ‘least of these’ don’t necessarily mean the poor and the hungry.
I’ve become very aware of this lately because in the last two weeks I have heard of two deaths of millionaires who I would now count as two of the ‘least of these’. One man died of a drug overdose and the other shot himself. How sad that they died broken and alone.
Unfortunately, we have no idea what demons these men faced, but it is clear that they were among the least, lost and lonely. It is a true testament that misery can be faced by anyone.
Just because they were men of means doesn’t make them any less than the least, lost and lonely. In fact, they were just another opportunity for us to give of ourselves and offer love, support and encouragement.
Look around. Don’t waste another moment trying to gather more junk. It continues to be proven that all the money in the world will not make us happy.
Instead, make an effort to give of yourself. You might be surprised how much better YOU feel after you’ve helped another!!!
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2Corinthians 9:6
So, what will make us happy?
I’m leaning towards doing God’s Will, giving, loving, and encouraging.
What can you do today?
Some Wisdom for Today: Proverbs 25:21 – If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink….
Image courtesy of Meg Hays – Copyright 2014.
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