Jesus calls us to be compassionate, generous givers. He expects us to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves; that's right, the orphan, the aged, the very poor, those who lack resources to make a go of it in mainstream America (or Africa, or Asia, etc.)
“When you take care of them, you are taking care of Me,” Jesus says. That gives me the impression that Jesus thinks taking care of the down-and-out, the poor, the powerless, is important!
So, should you give a couple of bucks to the next homeless person you see? Should you give more money to the Red Cross or other relief agencies? Is that what Jesus means? Or, is He addressing first of all our attitude, how we tend to look down our noses at the poor, holding them in lower esteem? I suspect that an attitude adjustment is the first order of business. After that, don't just give money...buy 'em a burger or a milkshake. See if they need something other than food. Certainly, offer words of encouragement. And, remember, the Lord made these brothers and sisters, too, and it's your job and mine to love them without prejudice. (Easily said...not easy to do--may the Spirit imbue with the oomph to do, as shy people do, what needs to be done!)
Prayer: Lord, give me a love for the unlovely, the hard to love. I confess that my heart is not pristine-clean—cleanse me of my biases and help me, I pray. Teach me how to show love to every last person that You bring into my life. Amen.
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