Who Is Your Brother's Keeper - Uh - You!

"Then He [Jesus] will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” - Matthew 25:41-46

Hurricane Ian struck Florida in September 2022. The historic storm caused over $50 billion in damage, more than any disaster in U.S. history other than Hurricane Katrina. The news coverage lasted about 2 months if that. The attention span of the American public not quite that long. Talking to someone the other day, when I mentioned that Martie and I were going to Florida to help, they asked if something was still going on there. The picture that came to my mind was an elderly widow sitting in a house filled with mold spores and no heating or air conditioning, alone, without hope. Then the question from the "goats" in Matthew, "Lord when did we see you." I have always marveled at how people can be oblivious to the struggles that others face. To my shame, sometimes that person is me. 

"Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." - Galatians 6:2

As Christians we should be sensitive to the needs of others, especially when we have the capacity to help in some way.  Sadly, we often go the way of Cain.

"Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” - Genesis 4:9

We like to distance ourselves from the problems of others - even knowing that ambivalence towards others is contrary to the Word of God and the commands we are to live by.  

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." - James 1:27

You think you are religious? That is what the religious or righteous do.  They care about other people. That care is birthed out of our love and devotion toward God. If you have a problem with loving others then it is because you have a problem loving God. That was Jesus' point in Matthew. And it is His point to us.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone