Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Henry Drummond
Giving Without Expecting
When we give and expect to receive, have we really given, or have we just loaned to those in need? Do you see my point? Jesus said, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:3-4). His point is, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:2). The meaning of “don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” is to give without keeping track of what you gave and to whom. It is so true that “whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse” (Proverbs 28:27).
Serving Without Prejudice
We have no room for prejudice in our church, and we are to serve those without prejudice. Our church has a prison ministry without regard to their crime. In every case where the prisoner has written, they have been broken and humbled themselves and came to place their trust in Christ. We reach out to them and do what we can for them. In prison, a letter is priceless because in most cases, their families have forsaken them, their friends have forgotten them, and they have no one on the outside. The same is true with our nursing home ministry. Sixty percent of nursing home residents have no one with whom to visit. We serve as Jesus said in Matthew 25:35-36, saying, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” and “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).
Loving the Unlovable
I remember hearing once that when children are the most unlovable, the most disrespectful, and the most rebellious are the very times that they need love the most. It seems an oxymoron, but it is true. God loved us while we were very unlovable. In fact, God loved us while still His enemies and wicked sinners (Romans 5:8, 10). So how can we love only those who are lovable? We must love those whom we deem the most unlovable because that’s what God did for us.
Conclusion
Ask yourself this question: Have you ever noticed how much of Christ’s life was spent doing kind things? How much of your life do you spend giving for those who have little? How much time do you spend serving those whom the world wants nothing to do with? How much of your life do you spend loving those whom no one else will? What do you think Jesus would have you do?
