Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Remember the Little Ones

2 Corinthians 8:1-19
 
“as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
           
The key verse is quoted by Saint Paul from Exodus 16: 18. This verse seems to indicate socialism, but in reality, it is not. It is the principle of God’s kingdom. When Jesus was teaching His disciples how to pray, He taught them to pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Before God made Adam, He created the garden of Eden for him with everything in abundance and instructed him to take care of it. God is the Owner of everything, we are only stewards. The Christian life is meant to be a sharing life. Jesus, in His earthly ministry was always focused on helping those in need and the suffering with compassion and kindness. He told the parable of ‘The Good Samaritan’ to highlight this attribute. Paul exhorts us in Philippians 2:5, to have the same mindset of Christ in us. A lot of people, both believers and nonbelievers, do charity with different motives. Some do it for popularity and others with a sincere heart filled with compassion.
Giving without expectation of anything in return is one of the basic principles of Christian life. God gave us His only Son and the Son gave His life for the salvation of the whole world. Followers of Christ ought to love others unconditionally and give sacrificially. James 2: 15-17, tells us “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Salvation Army’s slogan ‘soup, soap, salvation’ is appropriate for their ministry.
At the end of Jesus’s earthly ministry, He communicated with His disciples about His second coming. This is written for our admonition in the gospel according to Saint Matthew 25. He said that He will sit in His throne of glory and separate the righteous and the unrighteous, according to their deeds. Matthew 25:40 tells us, The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ May God grant us the wisdom to discern His word.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help us to be good stewards of all that you have entrusted to our keeping. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
…It is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35

Chacko Varughese
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, New York
       

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