Daily Devotion for December 6, 2006

One Important Thing

 

Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.  Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.  There will always be poor people in the land, Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:8, 10, 11

 

Many churches have small group Bible Studies or prayer groups.  There is no admittance fee. No weekly donations. No contribution towards the lights, the maintenance costs, janitorial services, Spiritual Director's fees, or the heating costs. So, studying the Bible and prayer and ministry to each other often becomes the focus.  All noble causes grant you.  But what is it that Jesus calls us to do? 

 

I remember being at a gathering of “Christian religious professionals” some time back and there was a guest singer at the gathering.  I remember what the singer said.  His only bit of evangelism was to ask the question "What is the one thing Jesus asks of us?"  No one answered. Again he asked, "What is the one thing Jesus asks of us?"  Still no one answered. The room was very quiet, and most notably amongst those who regularly "delivered the word".

 

"I'll tell you", said the singer. "It is, Feed the Poor. And that is the only bit of evangelizing I am going to do." With that, he broke into a beautiful song.

 

Although the singer was probably overstating his case for emphasis, I agree that "feeding the poor" could encompass many aspects pertaining to one's "poorness".  The financially poor, the spiritually poor, the emotionally poor, the morally poor. We are asked to “Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart”.  We are told that we will be blessed in whatever it is we set ourselves to do that eases the burden of the poor. He asks of us one thing. With His guidance, by fulfilling it, we can accomplish a lot.

 

Prayer:
Thank you Father, for the many ways in which you show us that by doing one thing, we are led to be doing others. In Your name we pray. Amen.

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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