Do it for the Least

And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

(Matthew 25:40)

Meditation

Now that I’m saved, the Lord has given me the desire to help others every chance I get. First however, I have to be aware of their needs. Once, while waiting in a checkout line, a young lady in front of me discovered she didn’t have the funds to cover her purchase. Instead of removing a few items, she abruptly said she didn’t want anything and walked out, red-faced. If I had been paying attention to her needs, I could have paid for her groceries and expressed Jesus’ love for her. I was all wrapped up in my own thoughts and not paying close enough attention to her need.

After that day, I asked God to help me be more cognizant of my surroundings. I realized the opportunity to help does not have to be about money. Shortly after the grocery store incident, I was watching my neighbor mow his lawn on a big powerful riding mower. He was an elderly gentleman whom I had never met. He almost fell off his mower twice while I was watching. It turned out he suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. The Lord put it on my heart to help this man, who turned out to be a very sweet man. I mowed his lawn for him for the next two summers before he passed away. I don't tell you that so you'll think I'm a great guy. I tell you that so you'll understand I had to pray God would give me another chance to help someone. Then, make me aware of what was going on around me, so I could do something about it.

Humans have the capacity for either great kindheartedness or utter heartlessness. Speaking throughout history, humans either build beautiful things or completely destroy them. I want to be a builder. I want to build relationships with other people and help them whenever I can. That will, in turn, build my relationship with Jesus. I don’t do it for a pat on the back, or to be repaid somehow. I don’t help others to make myself feel better, although I always do when I help someone. My motive is to show Christ’s love for others by my acts of service to them.

When I help those in need, either directly feeding a homeless person or giving money so others can be cared for, I am doing it to Jesus. If I truly love and believe in Jesus, then I want to be aware of the needs all around me. I pray for the heart to always help the disadvantaged. I’m not here just to praise and worship God so I’ll go to heaven. I’m here to do the work of Christ so other people will see him in me and want to give praise to the Father in heaven.

Daily Prayer

Father God, we come on bended knee because you are the King of the universe and we acknowledge your sovereignty over all of creation. You created all things, including every person on this planet. So, why do some think only of themselves and their wants and needs, ignoring the needs of the less fortunate? We cannot claim to know you or hold you in our hearts if we overlook to poor and downtrodden. Show us, Lord, when he help them, we are doing it for you. Keep us from a conceited heart that only looks for a pat on the back. When we do a good deed for someone, don’t let us expect some kind of reward or recognition. Keep us aware of our surroundings, so we’ll be ready and able to help someone who needs us. We are your hands and feet while we are here. Never let us sit in the pews of our church thinking we don’t need to do anything else to be pleasing to you. We love you and thank you with our whole hearts. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen!