There was recently a nationally syndicated radio morning show host that passed away from complications with his heart. From the report I read, he died at a charity function for children. In the fact that he started a foundation to help children He was the founder and major sponsor of the organization. Because of his fame and fan base of listeners, the news of his death spread quickly. My condolences go out to his family and loved ones. However, here's my beef with the whole deal. Hundreds, if not THOUSANDS of men, women and children die every single day from abuse, murder, starvation and disease. There are no candle light vigils. There is no crying to the media. No message from baboon politicians claiming sympathy, but really further spreading hatred. One freaking famous person dies for whatever reason, and the whole freaking world shuts down. Yes, the death of anyone is a sad occurrence, but what makes Whitney Houston or Kidd Kraddick any more important than the children in the larger cities digging through trash cans to find what ever crumbs we throw away just so that they can have food. The answer is NOTHING!
Do we really care? That sounds like a harsh question. I know. I thought it out before I wrote it. (Rest assured that I include myself in that lot too. I never write anything without examining myself first) But let's be honest. What did Jesus do with all of this kind of stuff? Jesus was not poor. He was the most sought after public speaker in Israel and maybe Rome and lived in a culture that believed in giving. Further more, the wise men brought Him enough gold at His birth to carry Him through His whole life. They bartered for His clothing at His death because it was seamless. The only ones that had that kind of clothing was wealthy land owners and kings. JESUS WAS NOT POOR! He gave all the money that He had to feed and clothe the poor.
What does that mean for us? I am not telling you that you have to give everything away, sell all your possessions or anything like that. What I am saying is that Jesus set the example for us. If you have the means to meet someone's need, you should. In fact, at the base of the Commandment, "Thou shalt not steal" is the underlying concept that if you keep what you could bless someone else with, you are stealing. I am not just talking about money. Every day you have something to give away. 24 of them to be precise. Hours of the day, other wise known as time. Spend some of your free time with a kid that needs a mentor. Babysit for a single mom that needs a break.
When does the time come that God's people wake up, look around, and act on what they see for the fulfillment of the Kingdom plan. WAKE UP! People are dying. We cannot be the healing hands of Jesus sitting at home and waiting for next Sunday, except for sending money to a mission in Africa or something like that. There are homeless people in everyone's area that need a meal. I can assure you that there is a teenager that has lost all hope and is about to do something that will not only effect them, but everyone they know. They are begging for someone to listen to them. You don't have to know the Bible backwards and forwards to listen to a teenager. Just open your ears, shut your mouth, and be there for them. I am a mentor and sometimes the best thing that I can do for them is keep my mouth shut unless they ask me something. You will never know the impact that you can have on someone by just being there for them.
I leave you with this thought. I have shared it before and I believe it works very well here. In Matthew 7, Jesus talks about Judgement Day. There are people that have cried out "Lord, Lord", cast out devils and prophesied. Still Jesus says, "Away from me because I do not know you!" The question then becomes, What does it mean to know God? You will have tons of answers to that question, and none of them would necessarily be wrong. One thing that I do know is this: Jeremiah 22:16, "He took care of the poor and the afflicted. So it will go well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?" declares the Lord.
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