“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me 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” (Matthew 25:34-36).
It is impossible to read the gospel and ignore Christ’s clear teaching to welcome, love, and care for the needy and the poor.
Passages like this haunt me. Not because they are not clear but because I don’t know how.
I don’t know how to apply this at a personal level, and I don’t know how to apply this at an organizational level.
The Little Church on the Prairie and Lakewoodgrace is an amazingly gracious and generous congregation. Our people are involved in ministry that has direct impact on the poor, the homeless, and the hungry in our community. The city is better because of what God is doing through the Little Church and Lakewoodgrace.
Christ beckons us to join him at his work.
Francis Schaeffer wrote in his book, The Mark of a Christian, “Upon Jesus’ authority he gives the world the right to judge whether you and I are born-again Christians on the basis of our observable love toward others.”
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Ask the poor. They will tell you who the Christians are.”
Friends, will you join me in praying and discovering more practical ways we can be about loving, caring for, and taking care of our neighbors. God already knows how we can do this. It’s our job to pray so we can hear and discern God’s leadership.
Thank you for the ways you’re already engaged in ministry. Thank you for your financial contributions which go toward alleviating hunger. Thank you for doing your part to volunteer and support the ministry of Christ through the Little Church and Lakewoodgrace!
Praxis: Faith in Action 