12/9/2015 FEED THE HUNGRY
MATTHEW 25:31-35, 37, 40 “When the SON OF MAN comes in HIS glory, and all the angels with HIM, HE will sit on HIS throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before HIM, and HE will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. HE will put the sheep on HIS right and the goats on HIS left. Then the KING will say to those on HIS right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by MY FATHER; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink….’ Then the righteous will answer HIM, ‘LORD, when did we see YOU hungry and feed YOU, or thirsty and give YOU something to drink....’ “The KING will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers [or sisters] of MINE, you did for ME. [New International translation]
Summary: The teachings of JESUS make it clear that we have a duty to feed the hungry. The verses in Matthew chapter 25 emphasize that our sense of duty to feed the hungry should have the same weight as if we were feeding JESUS HIMSELF.
Just imagine what it would be like if we knew that JESUS was coming to our home for dinner! Imagine the preparation. Imagine the planning you would put into the meal. Where would you shop if you knew that JESUS were coming? What would you serve? Would any amount of money be too much to spend? Imagine how much time you and your family would spend preparing a meal for HIM.
Now consider how campaigns to feed the hungry actually occur in our cities, our churches and communities. When we donate food for the hungry, do we donate the best goods in our pantries or just the unwanted and unused boxes and can goods? Do we bring food “fit for a KING” or just left over can goods? Do we put any thought into what we donate? Is the effort that we put into feeding others equal in any degree the meal preparation we would expend for GOD?