Why do I care so much?

Mark 2:13 - 17 (New Living Translation)

13. Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him.
14. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him.
15. Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.)
16. But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”
17. When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

***Wow, what a response! Isn’t it funny at times just when we think we have arrived to greatness we tend to look down on those who lack. I like how Jesus put it “I have come to call not those who THINK they are righteous, but those who KNOW they are sinners.” You see, if we arrive to a high place, be it position, educational level or money, God allowed it all. Further more, only God knows our tomorrows! God hardly ever use those who THINK they got it all together; they want give Him glory.
Why do I care so much? Because God cares; if Jesus was here right now He would be in the homeless shelters, fellowshipping with the prostitute, out where many of us wouldn’t dare be found. I said all that to say, it’s not every Christian’s ministry to go to these places, but we can assist those who do.

***I submit to you the Word of God…

Matthew 25:31 - 46 (New Living Translation)

31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.
32. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.
35. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.
36. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37. “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38. Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?
39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40. “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
41. “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.
42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink.
43. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44. “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45. “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
46. “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

***The Word clearly states when we help those in need we are actually giving to God Himself. I have found when we help others our needs are met as well. Ladies and gentlemen, if you don’t get anything else get this...

“Matthew 5:46 (NLT) If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.”

***I challenge all to select someone this Thanksgiving that is struggling greatly, buy them some food, invite them over to your house, go and assist at a shelter or children home; you would be amazed at the love God will return. Let’s just start to show love to those who are forgotten. Blessings to all!