Wednesday, May 5, 2021
by Reverend Dan on May 5, 2021Wednesday, May 5
“For I was hungry, and you gave something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'”
It’s amazing how much difference one letter can make.
Serving the community, for instance. Secular and civic organizations think serving the community is a “good thing.” And it is.
But to Christians, just remove one letter, and it reflects why we serve others; because it’s a “God thing.”
TOMS (they sell shoes and other accessories) is a great company (to whom, with two daughters, I have contributed greatly to their earnings.) For every pair of shoes they sell, they donate a pair to a person in need.
BOMBAS is a sock company, and every time you buy a pair of their socks, they donate a pair to the homeless. (Socks are the most requested item by indigent people.)
Both of those civic minded companies are doing a good thing. A great thing.
But when you add the name of Jesus Christ as the reason why you are serving the underprivileged in society, it changes not only the daily lives of people, but it also changes hearts and hopefully, their eternity.
As Christians we are called to make a difference in the world. Rather than hiding away in committee meetings or gathering in a room to lay out the strategic plan for the church (didn’t Jesus already do that?), the church needs to have its hands and backs and hearts out there serving.
The first focus of a church should be to build the church and bring disciples into the fold. But the second focus needs to be getting people out of those seats and serving the community.
And not only because it’s a “good thing” for the image of the church. But because it’s a “God thing.”
“Eternal God open our eyes to those around us in need and open our hearts to serve them in Jesus’ precious name, AMEN.”
