Giving To The Poor - The Bible on Money

“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?” And the King will answer and say to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

Matthew 25:34-40

In all His glory and righteousness, Jesus identified most with the poor. Think about that for a second. If you had all the power, would you or anyone you know come so humbly? No one in His place would. Not any of us.

As normal human beings, we would come to earth with pomp and circumstance and no intention of serving others. But Jesus was born in a manger. And He washed His disciple Peter’s feet (Matthew 13:1-16).

If we could only use a few words to describe what Jesus did on this earth, here’s what comes to mind: Jesus served. Jesus saved. Jesus gave.

He set an example for us. And in Matthew 25, He clearly says giving to the “least of these” is like giving directly to Him.

We don’t look down on the people who cannot afford a place to live… who cannot afford food to eat… who cannot afford water to drink. We’re all on the same level. And, quite frankly, those who can’t afford a roof over their head, food or water are closer to touch Jesus than any of the rest of us will ever be.

Life is not about our worldly accomplishments. And life is not about our worldly failures. Life is not even about the people we meet or the families we build. Neither is life about the things we accumulate. Money and material possessions mean nothing if we don’t do with it what glorifies Him.

As believers, life is about following Christ. Life is about honoring Him (Proverbs 14:31). Life is about sharing (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-33). Life is about investigating the case (Job 29:16). Life is about softening our heart and opening our hand (Deuteronomy 15:7-8). Life is about how we treat others. Life is about Whom we made them see: The Lord. Life is about how we made someone else feel. With giving comes salvation (Luke 19:8-9). So, how can we give in a way others can see Christ in us? How have we treated our families? How have we treated the strangers we meet? What will they say when God asks them about you?

May we treat others the same. May we treat them the way we would like to be treated. When they give an account for our deeds, may they say, “They made me feel like I was the only person in the world.” Because that’s how Jesus made us feel.

Giving To The Poor - The Bible on Money

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