Monday’s Devotion: A Precarious Position

Modified and used 12-1-20 Giving Tuesday

Matthew 25:34-40 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that 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 something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.'  Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it……………?’  And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'

I have seen several things on the Internet recently that disturbed me.  Both insinuated that charity should be extended to those who “deserve” it.  I know that some people are lazy and avoid work, some are freeloaders, and some are scam artists.  I also know that we can find scriptures that say people should work, and should be industrious and that we reap what we sow.  Still, to me it would be a terrible burden to set ourselves up in the precarious position of judging just who is deserving.  We cannot know everyone’s story.  Did they have parents who taught them the value of work?  Or did they have parents who left them to fend for themselves?  Have they been damaged by life in some way?  It’s very easy to look at an able bodied poor person and categorize him or her as lazy.  It’s easier to make jokes about welfare Cadillacs than to let go of our hard earned resources.  In this scripture Jesus extends compassion to the prisoner just as he did to the thief on the cross.  He did not say have them fill out some forms to see if they qualify for compassion before extending charity.  Just my thoughts.

Holy God, help us to judge less and love more.  As the weather turns colder, warm our hearts towards the indigent and homeless.  Guide us to those whom you would have us to help, Lord.  Help us to listen to their stories.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed week,
(and pray for those who won’t have one)

Paige