I don't usually wade into the religion debates, because there are no clear winners; only a bunch of people who have an opinion based on an interpretation by someone identified as a church leader. I believe we're all hanging on by faith to whatever our belief is, because unless you've been there, death, and came back, none of us really KNOW. We believe. We trust. We hope. And we have faith. But, we are trusting in the words of other mortals, words colored by THEIR beliefs. But, I digress.
I was in downtown St. Louis last Tuesday, in the very back of a medical transport van. The driver I recognized from my Lord's Ranch days, so I knew he was a Christian. Of course, the AM Christian radio station was also a dead giveaway. Rush hour traffic was moving predictably slow, and I noticed a woman walking along the median holding a sign that said, "Living On Love".
Clearly, this woman was asking for help. She was thin, and dirty, and had what could possibly be all her worldly goods in her worn out back-pack. I noticed the driver rolling down the window and thought, "Good, he's going to give her a few dollars." But, no.
He very nicely said, "Living on love, huh? I know someone who loves you", and then began to tell her how Jesus loves her, and does she know where she's going (when she leaves this place). Now, I know Christians are supposed to spread the Word, but immediately several things went through my head that struck me. First was, "what a self-righteous jack-ass".
You read that right. A self-righteous jack-ass. What did Jesus tell us to do when we see someone in need? Did he tell us to tell them, "Jesus loves you." and then send them off down the road still hungry? I don't think so.
I believe there are many examples of what Christians are supposed to do, but here's one that's pretty clear; 1 John 3:17-18 - "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." This gentleman probably felt pretty good about himself for telling that woman Jesus loved her, but did those words help that woman that day? Was she no longer hungry?
We are supposed to live by Jesus' example. When the lame approached Jesus, or the sick, poor, even those mentally deranged, did Jesus merely tell them HE loved them and move on? I don't think so. He did some thing. "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven".
There is a time and a place to share the Word. Giving someone who is hungry a platitude we all learned our first day of bible school is not the Lord's work. Feeding the hungry? That sounds more appropriate. Deuteronomy says, "you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be."
And I know what you are thinking, as I have had the same thought many times. Another mistake I think we make is assuming this woman was just a slacker. Too lazy to work to support herself and just looking for some easy money she'll probably spend on booze or drugs. Right?
First, we are only responsible for our own actions. Let that sink in. The Lord instructed us to "open our hand and lend her sufficient for her need". He didn't tell us to wonder what she'll do with what she is given, just to give! What she does with it is between her and the Lord. Our job is to GIVE IT. What did we learn the second day of bible school? Judge Not!
Another assumption that was immediately made was that this woman couldn't possibly be a Christian. Why did he assume she was a non-christian? Because she had fallen on hard times? How many times in the Bible were people put to this test?
One guy was instructed to go to another land where a widow would sustain him for a time. Now, who would want to be that guy? He had to seek out this widow who had only enough grain to feed her and her child one more time and here he is telling her to feed him first! And go fetch me some water too!? Oh, sweet Jesus! And the woman did it.
How do you think that guy looked when he found the widow there gathering sticks? Finest clothes, bathed, and smelling of expensive oils? I doubt it. Doesn't the Word say, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares"? I believe if that woman hadn't done as instructed she and her child would have been left begging in the street, or worse.
What about Job? He was blameless and upright. He feared God and turned from evil. I believe he was much loved by God, but he was put through hell! How do you think he looked at the end of his ordeal before God restored him? If he walked up to your car in downtown St. Louis, what would your response be?
My final thought: Jesus told us to LOVE, not in word, but in deed and in truth. Love = action. If the driver didn't feel led to give the woman some coin or food, I believe he would have been better off just driving on. I don't believe he found any favor with the Lord that day.
I was in downtown St. Louis last Tuesday, in the very back of a medical transport van. The driver I recognized from my Lord's Ranch days, so I knew he was a Christian. Of course, the AM Christian radio station was also a dead giveaway. Rush hour traffic was moving predictably slow, and I noticed a woman walking along the median holding a sign that said, "Living On Love".
Clearly, this woman was asking for help. She was thin, and dirty, and had what could possibly be all her worldly goods in her worn out back-pack. I noticed the driver rolling down the window and thought, "Good, he's going to give her a few dollars." But, no.
He very nicely said, "Living on love, huh? I know someone who loves you", and then began to tell her how Jesus loves her, and does she know where she's going (when she leaves this place). Now, I know Christians are supposed to spread the Word, but immediately several things went through my head that struck me. First was, "what a self-righteous jack-ass".
You read that right. A self-righteous jack-ass. What did Jesus tell us to do when we see someone in need? Did he tell us to tell them, "Jesus loves you." and then send them off down the road still hungry? I don't think so.
I believe there are many examples of what Christians are supposed to do, but here's one that's pretty clear; 1 John 3:17-18 - "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." This gentleman probably felt pretty good about himself for telling that woman Jesus loved her, but did those words help that woman that day? Was she no longer hungry?
We are supposed to live by Jesus' example. When the lame approached Jesus, or the sick, poor, even those mentally deranged, did Jesus merely tell them HE loved them and move on? I don't think so. He did some thing. "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven".
There is a time and a place to share the Word. Giving someone who is hungry a platitude we all learned our first day of bible school is not the Lord's work. Feeding the hungry? That sounds more appropriate. Deuteronomy says, "you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be."
And I know what you are thinking, as I have had the same thought many times. Another mistake I think we make is assuming this woman was just a slacker. Too lazy to work to support herself and just looking for some easy money she'll probably spend on booze or drugs. Right?
First, we are only responsible for our own actions. Let that sink in. The Lord instructed us to "open our hand and lend her sufficient for her need". He didn't tell us to wonder what she'll do with what she is given, just to give! What she does with it is between her and the Lord. Our job is to GIVE IT. What did we learn the second day of bible school? Judge Not!
Another assumption that was immediately made was that this woman couldn't possibly be a Christian. Why did he assume she was a non-christian? Because she had fallen on hard times? How many times in the Bible were people put to this test?
One guy was instructed to go to another land where a widow would sustain him for a time. Now, who would want to be that guy? He had to seek out this widow who had only enough grain to feed her and her child one more time and here he is telling her to feed him first! And go fetch me some water too!? Oh, sweet Jesus! And the woman did it.
How do you think that guy looked when he found the widow there gathering sticks? Finest clothes, bathed, and smelling of expensive oils? I doubt it. Doesn't the Word say, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares"? I believe if that woman hadn't done as instructed she and her child would have been left begging in the street, or worse.
What about Job? He was blameless and upright. He feared God and turned from evil. I believe he was much loved by God, but he was put through hell! How do you think he looked at the end of his ordeal before God restored him? If he walked up to your car in downtown St. Louis, what would your response be?
My final thought: Jesus told us to LOVE, not in word, but in deed and in truth. Love = action. If the driver didn't feel led to give the woman some coin or food, I believe he would have been better off just driving on. I don't believe he found any favor with the Lord that day.
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