Matthew 25:35-40 (KJV) Says, "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? Or naked and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
In the above passage of scripture taken from the book of Matthew it is made clear that we are to feed the hungry, give those who are thirsty something to drink, take in those who need a place to stay, give clothes to those in need of them, visit the sick and those in prison. Please note that God says when we do these things for those needing our help we have done it unto him.
Having read this passage of scripture should make crystal clear to us how God would like for us to deal with those who are in need of help. The most common responses I hear and read from people who have come in contact with someone in need, however, do not in anyway coincide with the Word of God. Unfortunately, this is true even of many who are self-proclaimed Christians, and that is a sad state of affairs. I hear and read things like: "I saw a homeless man, and I told him to get a job," "I drove past a woman holding a sign asking for money and she had a child with her; she shouldn't have a child out there begging for money," "I saw someone sleeping in their car in a parking lot and I don't think that should be allowed," "I'm not giving my money; or help to people holding signs; I work hard for my money," "Some guy asked me for money and I know he could work; I saw nothing wrong with him,"and the list of negative remarks goes on and on and on. These type people think they know how the person wound up in the situation they're in, and what steps they should take to get out of it, and whether or not they are frauds. All this is assumed without having any idea as to the person's story. Behaving in this manner toward those who are asking for help is definitely not how a Christian should react, and I can assure you it is not pleasing to God.
I encourage you to look at those who are asking for help using your Jesus eyes, and to respond and react in a manner that is pleasing to God. Stay away from fleshly reactions and comments that are displeasing to God. I encourage you to remain silent about people asking for help if you have nothing but negative, bitter comments to offer because that would be far better in the eyes of God than judging the person, and launching a verbal attack on the them and their situation. Leave the fakes, who are asking for help they don't need, to God, and allow him to handle them. When you see someone in need of help, offer to pray with them and for them, help them if you can, praise and thank God that you are not in their situation, and think about how you would want others to treat you, if you found yourself in their position. The next time you come in contact with someone in need, I urge you to demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit toward them such as love, kindness, and gentleness just to name a few. I urge you to behave in a true Christian manner allowing them to see the light of Christ in you so that they may recognize the fact that there is hope in Christ for them no matter their current situation. I urge you to share with them the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to let them know that Jesus loves them right where they are.
It is my hope that when I stand in the presence of God at the end of my earthly life, and he looks on how I treated those in need he will not be disappointed. It is my hope that he will be able to say to me well done my good and faithful servant. What about you?
If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you!
