He
who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor. (NASB)
Some people give donations
of food at Thanksgiving and Christmas time. It is just a good thing to do and
there are numerous food drives at that time of the year. In fact there are so
many food give aways in my community that the agencies providing food monitor
who gets it—so that some families don’t hog the resources. I remember a few
years ago delivering food from my church to a needy family and when we arrived
at their home that family had already received three boxes of food for their
Christmas dinner. But what about food donations the rest of the year? Most of
the agencies are constantly advertising that food and hygiene products are
needed. Do we give?
In his wisdom
Solomon is telling us that we will be blessed by giving. I do try to do just
that---give year around, but I will admit that unless I plan ahead time slips
by without me making a contribution. Now that I have this reminder I will make
a shopping trip just for that purpose---to help replenish the shelves of the
Jericho Road Ministries here in the Tri-Cities area of eastern Washington State.
It is a local agency that provides food, clothing, and support like school
supplies, and bridge kits (for those in a variety of transition from homelessness
to foster care), and help with utilities or medical treatment. I hope that
there are such agencies in your area---if not maybe you can start a food or
clothing closet to help those with needs. God will surely bless your efforts
and you.
Jesus said in Mark 14:7, “For you always have the poor with you, and
whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me.” In Matthew
25 He discusses with His disciples taking care of those in need. Verses 35 and
36 of that chapter say, “'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; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was
in prison, and you came to Me.” When we take care of those in need, Jesus sees
it as us taking care of Him. What an example! We should treat everyone like they are Jesus Himself! Do
you treat others like they are Jesus? Try it today---regard everyone you
encounter throughout the day as if they were Jesus.
©
2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment