GSCC Home

Bible Study/Sermons main

Core Beliefs

Matthew 25: 31-40 (The Message) 31-33"When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.
34-36"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what's coming to you in this kingdom. It's been ready for you since the world's foundation. And here's why:

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.'
37-40"Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me.'
Hi all,

I have read this passage over many a times. I keep trying to come up with something that can better explain this passage. I can’t. I must admit, Jesus said it best. You see someone that is in need – STOP and help, no conditions, just help. In fact this week I was challenged and almost didn’t respond. A man came in to my place of business looking for work. He had a sick wife that he could only leave for a few hours at a time. She was staying in a local pay by the week hotel. I told him I had no work – which was true. I did offer him some food. He said no, the church they were attending had given them some food. He just needed some work. He had worked for ½ the rent needed for the week. He was a very nice guy. I had bought some supplies for work. He was nice and opened the door as I went out with the cart to get it loaded and brought in. Then he opened the doors for me on my way back in (he had gone to the other offices in the building looking for work). I reached in my pocket and gave him all the cash I had $11. I also wished him luck.

BUT suspicion still looms in all of us. One person who heard the my exchange asked if the man wanted a hand out. I said no, he wanted to work for the money he needed. The response for the other person – that’s unusual.

I attend a church that helps as it can. We also have knowledge of the community and the agencies we can turn to when someone needs something BUT can’t afford to get it. That needs to be a cornerstone of all churches. I know of a few churches that require things of people before the will help. That isn’t what Jesus said. Jesus said:
I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me a drink,
I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes,
I was sick and you stopped to visit,
I was in prison and you came to me.

So do you openly help as you see a need? Does your church have a benevolence fund to help those in need? Do you help support your church and its outreach?

I must admit this makes for a great cornerstone for one’s life and for a church.
The last cornerstone will be discussed next week, in the mean time I Pray that God will open your eyes to see those in need. Jesus did throughout His ministry.
Take care and may God bless,
alyce