My last Word is the message I’ve shared in many ways over nearly 30 years of Rescue Mission ministry. I pray I’ll speak through His Spirit to the Churches.
Matthew 25:31 – 46
“Unto the Least of These”
Imagine, if Jesus’ first coming was to Bay County, FL. I believe he’d spend a great deal of time sitting in the Rescue Mission’s Courtyard just lovin’ on folks he found there. I often tell volunteers to be on the look-out for Jesus. They see Him hungry and feed Him on our serving line, or giving kids school clothes in “..pure undefiled religion” of James 1:27 at Klothes 4 Kids. Maybe it’s just lovin’ on the downcast they encounter. You’ll come face-to-face with Jesus according to vs 40. How does he see me? How will I treat Him?
I Corinthians 13 is known as “The Love Chapter.” However, in the Old King James Version it should be called “The Charity Chapter.” Today, charity means something so different than in those days. We equate it only to giving to the poor or sick. Today, it is finding spare, leftover things we can do without and giving it away. That’s certainly not a bad thing. It’s just not I Cor. 13 defined Love. That charity-love says – irrespective of my resources, I give myself to meet you at the point of your need. It always – protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. In Proverbs 19:17 God promises “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord and he will reward him for what he has done.” The giving is not really for the “needy one” but for us to see Him. I need to trust the Lord. When I encounter Him, disguised as someone in need, I must seek His Spirit living within. He’ll encourage me to become a doer of His word. Don’t worry, God guides us so that we don’t become over doers.
I’m in desperate need to find that opportunity that is bigger than my faith – to find the evil that is greater than my apathy.
I learned a long time ago that a man can’t hear that message of hope over the roar of an empty stomach. Christ-like believers can’t look at the hurts in our community, the evil that consumes our world and not be moved to a faith that does good works; that gives – that loves. Non-Christians look at what we do, not what we say. Up and outers are watching how we treat down and outers.
Please don’t misunderstand me. Feeding hungry people doesn’t save you. Only the born again relationship with God, through Jesus does that. It does, however make us “Christ-like”.
Our text says – He’ll divide. Many who practiced “today’s charity” will miss the mark. They just didn’t see Jesus. He says they will defend themselves with “but didn’t we do…?” They’ll miss everlasting life. Not because they didn’t give something, but because they didn’t trust in the saving, resurrected Lord who gave it to us – to give to others.
Sincerely, God’s warehouseman,
Rev. Billy Fox
Brother Fox now consults other like ministries in program & event management, PR, Fundraising and does Overcomes Revival services. Contact – bfox2359@gmail.com