STILL PREACHIN
Stanley Hamilton
(Matthew 25: 40) "And the king shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
Mother Teresa, quoted this scripture as an underlying factor in her ministry, to the "poorest of the poor" and the sick and dying. When asked how she was able to touch, bathe and make contact with such filthy, wretched souls . . .she replied " I am bathing my Savior" or " I am feeding Jesus"
It is hard for me to understand how easily a follower of Jesus can shut off compassion, when people need something from them. I was once in a church board meeting, when the local police department called our pastor wanting help for some stranded travelers. He had previously made the church available. One member of the board suggested that maybe some should go first, "To see if they were worthy."
When people ask for help, is it necessary to I.D. them, make them fill out forms (in triplicate), and get fingerprints, to prove they really need our help. Are they cons, just ripping us off, and then going down the road to con somebody else? PEOPLE DO THAT! If a complete stranger is hungry, or needs a coat, or needs some medicine..... and it's within your ability to provide . . .What Would Jesus Do? Send them away with a promise to pray? Send them to church, or any where but you? Jesus said that was Him . . . . .but you sent Him away!
If somebody cons you out of a meal, some cash YOU CAN AFFORD, some time, whatever . . . That is between them and the Lord. They will give account to HIM. How YOU respond to someone who ask you for help, is ALSO between YOU and the Lord You will join the sheep or goats. Jesus said that if you turn the least of these away, you turn Him away.
