"Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others". Mark 12:43
We have just about finished Thanksgiving with the Turkey et all. And have entered into Dec to prepare for the 24th Dinner/supper.
While we get into the festive spirit, what about all those people who don't know where their next meal is coming from?
As followers of The Christ, it is our bounden duty to help those who need our strength. Why?
Because every man and woman is a creation and extension of God. So do we respond when someone reaches out or do we ignore the cry for help.
Some days ago, I wondered as to what our reaction is going to be when a poor hungry man comes to our door asking for food.
In our refrigerator there is a fresh chicken roast, vegetables as well as some left-over food from three days ago. Will we offer that person the chicken roast or will we dump the 3 days old left overs on him? Let's answer this question in all honesty!
If Jesus had come home that day would we not have offered the chicken roast and much more? The question is did we see Jesus in him that day? Did we see Jesus in him or did we see someone who had to be fed with just about anything, but definitely not roast chicken.
It's not really about chicken, it's about anything we are called upon to give. Our time, knowledge, money, food etc. If we truly believe this verse from Matthew chapter 25 - verses 35 and 36, we would have treated that hungry man with equality and sat him down with us and offered him the best we have.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,(A) 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me,(B) I was sick and you looked after me,(C) I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
These verses not only tell us our duty, but something much beyond that. We have a two dimensional relationship with God, vertical (man to God) and horizontal (man to man), because in the next verse Jesus says in verse 40-
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
We should consider it our bounden duty to God, to care for our fellow men with a open heart, not grudging, nor boasting but in humility, treating each one as an extension of God Himself, because in any case what we have is God given which we are called upon to share, not to hoard.
God Bless all this Christmas season.
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