If you are a follower of Christ and made righteous through Him, then you also help the poor and needy. Where do you stand on this? Is your heart open to giving to the homeless or families in need? If not, then your heart is not for God. We learn through the Bible that the wicked disregard such people and make up excuses to not stop and help them, while the righteous are willing to lend a hand. In Solomon’s own words, he says, 1“the righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.” I don’t know about you but if I ever felt like I was considered wicked in God’s eyes, then I’d do something about it now and not delay. I would not just keep doing what I now know is wrong but repent. If I have disregarded the homeless on the streets and walked past those I know are in need, I’d be telling God how sorry I am. Because of the shame, I’d be telling God, that I’d wish to do better next time and most of all, I’d ask Him to help me be a different person that loves like He does. It is crystal clear here that there are two groups of people on this earth. There are the righteous and the wicked. Those that are just are part of the righteous, for they seek God and will do anything to save their soul from hell. What they have done in the past, they are more than willing to give it all to God, that He make things right. The righteous are also those that are made wise in God, through repentance. As they turn away from their sins, the 1“wise men turn away wrath,” as Solomon said. They do this, that they may find mercy. There obedience to the Lord and His teachings, are where blessings flow.
As we repent and come to God for mercy, we are willing to give up our old ways and live for Him. We acknowledge that we have been wrong in the ways that we have treated other people. These things, we give to God, that He may help us walk differently. This involves showing love and compassion to those in need, instead of ignoring them. If you drive past a homeless person the street, you stop and give them what they need. If they need water, food, shoes, clothes, coat, or a blanket, we offer it to them. And because of this, we prep our cars with such things that we will be ready. And if they are willing to receive it, we offer to pray with them. Even if they need somebody to talk to, we give them our time and show them love. This is acting for the Lord and being a true follower of Christ. As Solomon said, these people that consider the poor are righteous, Jesus said the same thing. He said, 2“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.” But 2“then shall the righteous” say unto Him, 2“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, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” May the words of Jesus sink in today. Be righteous in Him and care for the poor and needy.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, may we all become righteous in You today. Help everyone understand what this means, that they may turn from their sins and repent. I know that many people have been found disregarding the needs of the poor but still call themselves Christian. This saddens me to see people feel that they are secure in their faith when there is no love for those in need. When you said that the righteous feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked and visit the sick and in prison, I am listening. I know that doing these things are what true Christians do and are like, because You said it. We are not just to believe but live out our faith as Your Word says. And if our lives are not doing these things now, we ought to repent, that Your Holy Spirit will come in and change us. We know that we are incapable of doing these things to the fullest extent but with You in our lives, we can do all things. Even when we are short on time, if there is a need and we are prompted, we are willing to drop it all for You and care for that one person in need. It is for Your glory God. It is not to make us look good but to benefit the lives of those around us. Our love for You is what extends into the people’s around us. Thank You Lord. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Proverbs 29:1-13 (KJV)
1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
4 The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
12 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes.
2Matthew 25:31-46 (KJV)
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 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:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
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.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
