This weekend, before I left for home, I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some quick supplies - specifically, a snack and some soap. As I was leaving, I noticed a man - presumably homeless - who was holding a cardboard sign. His sign said something to the effect of "Out of work, laid off, need help please." I pulled over into that turning lane and handed him a little money to help him out.
That part of the story is irrelevant - I don't mean to brag. The only reason I mention my own action is to contrast that action to what I observed immediately prior to it. There was a silver car in front of me with a "Jesus fish" on the back, or at least that's what I call them. I don't know if the driver had already given something to him or if he would give something later; I don't know if he even gave the man anything at all. Quite honestly, it's none of my business what he did or didn't do.
The only thing about this whole situation that matters is this - the driver of the car had his windows rolled down, but as he approached the man, he rolled the windows up and turned the opposite direction. He literally just blatantly ignored the man.
Coincidence? Maybe. Like I said before, it's none of my business what that person in the car did and it doesn't matter what I did. What matters is what I perceived from the driver of that car.
I perceived that the driver chose not to give to the man.
In Matthew 25:31-46, we are told a story. I encourage you to read it now.
In this story, we are told of a group of people who saw others that were "hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison." We are also told that they "did not minister" to them. The fact of the matter is, how we treat others - specifically, in this case, those who are in need - is a reflection of how we see Jesus.
Another example of this type of situation is seen in the parable of the good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37
I wonder what that man holding the sign thought about the ministry of the driver in that car with the Jesus fish when he rolled the windows up and took off without even saying hi.
As I said, what the driver actually did prior to my observation or after it does not matter; what does matter is the lesson we can gain from my experience: pay attention. It's entirely possible that the driver honestly did not see the man. We, as Christians, should look for every opportunity we have to share our God-given blessings with others who might not have been blessed with as much. Even if all we do is roll the window down and remind the person in need that Jesus loves him or her, that is still better than doing nothing. Our actions could go a long way to encouraging that person to accept Jesus and follow His plan if the individual hasn't done it yet.
All this post is designed to do is to remind us to always be wary. There are people in need around us all the time; it's up to us to find them and help them by allowing them to partake in the blessings that Jesus has given us.
This coming week:
Take someone who isn't as financially blessed as you out to eat.
Bring your friends to worship with you.
Invite someone who doesn't try to live by the Bible to have a Bible study with you.
We can find a way to help at least one more person this week than we did last week; anything is better than nothing.
- Bro. Ethan
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