Category: Serving the Poor

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Why Serve?

The foundation of this series of posts rests on serving those in need. My assumption from the outset is we agree that serving is important, so it’s essential to stop and consider what it means to serve. Why serve? At its core, serving others is focused on giving up the scarce resource we all have in common. That resource is time. When we serve in any capacity, we give our time away.

Our current culture seems to be defined by a four-letter word: busy. If you ask someone how it’s going, their response will often include the phrase, “I’ve been really busy.” It’s almost a badge of honor these days.  The opposite of being busy makes us sound like we’re lazy, idle, or worse! These two states provide extremes along the continuum from idle to busy, or completely idle to extremely busy. Those who tend to the far right are those we often esteem and revere. If we’re supposed to gravitate toward busyness, how can we find time to serve? Why serve when we have so much to do just to keep up?

What would the world look like if we chose not to serve?

Years ago, I heard a sermon on the topic of hell. Imagine two scenes that depict heaven and hell. In both scenes, we see a banquet feast with an abundance of food. There are all kinds of meats, vegetables, fruits, drinks, amazing desserts, all overflowing. In hell, the people are bitter, and in deep anguish, but in heaven, there is much rejoicing. The odd thing about the scene, for some strange reason, the people in both scenes have no elbows. When we zoom in on hell, we see people holding forks and spoons, but they can’t eat because they can’t bend their arms. They have to bury there faces in the food and eat like wild animals. There is no joy. In heaven, by contrast, there is much joy and rejoicing. The people have all learned to feed each other. One person scoops up the food and helps the other one eat. Those in heaven are focused on serving one another; those in hell are entirely self-centered.

I remember this lesson when I was a youth. It’s no surprise that I have a deep-rooted need to serve others.

I think it’s safe to say that a world in which no one serves another would indeed be hell on earth. A country full of people that refuses to serve each other would be the most repugnant of nations. If you’re nodding your head with me at this point, keep going down the line from world to the country to state to city to community. The challenge in all of this writing is to foster a community that serves one another. It’s a hope that the desire to serve others would spread to the state then to the entire country. The dream is to become a people that serve one another with gladness.

My thesis is simple: when we serve others with the love of Christ, each in his or her particular way, we will find complete joy and contentment. We would be the body of Christ. Then, when we take time to gather as a body of Christ, we will worship with unbridled enthusiasm that would be so inviting that others would eagerly desire to join us, they would flock to churches to find out why these people are so loving and so filled with purpose. In these moments, we will find a bit of heaven on earth, quite the opposite of the image painted above.

While the Old Testament may be challenging to read and understand, there is one theme that stands out above all others: God’s people are a chosen nation, unlike any other.

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 7:6

The Bible Project team does a great job covering a variety of topics. Here’s a link that dives into God’s chosen people. [The Bible Project]

There are many references to God’s plan to show others the distinction between those who reflect his love, his desire, and his compassion for others. Likewise, the Old Testament is filled with stories about those who chose to follow their selfish desires. Tragedy appears when Israel wants to be like everyone else. The more they chased the dream of being like other nations, the farther they wandered from a loving God who seeks reconciliation.

While my feeble mind can’t wrap itself around all history, it must have been necessary for us to appreciate God’s remedy. At just the right time in history, when anarchy reigned supreme and self-serving desires ruled the earth, God sent Jesus to enter time in the most unlikely of ways.

Those of us raised in Christian churches know the story, but we need to remember no one at the time every dreamed of how this would all play out. The prophets did their best to articulate the vision. Jesus was born from a humble family and grew up under the authority of a loving father and mother. He was patiently waiting for the right moment for his ministry to begin.

What did Jesus do at the beginning of His ministry?

From the very beginning, his ministry became known for his amazing teaching and his concern for the sick, the lame, the needy. Those steeped in Levitical Law would mark these outcasts as unclean and unwanted. The priests wanted nothing to do with them, but Jesus embraced them and healed many.

Why did the sick and lame seek Jesus? When Jesus called the disciples and began preaching about repentance, he didn’t tell them to set out a sign that said, “bring us your sick, your lame, your diseased…healing at 11.” If they didn’t put out a banner, why did they come?

Mark’s gospel account focuses on the things Jesus did. As he began teaching, Jesus cast out a demon from a man in the synagogue. (Side note: the man was “in” the synagogue, he was a part of the establishment and deeply possessed. Think about that for a minute.)

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. Mark 1:27-28

People heard about what Jesus could do, and they sought him out. He served others as an integral part of his ministry. Jesus demonstrated his love and compassion for others, then taught us to do the same.

Why serve? How can we not serve? It’s part of who we are as a people of God.

Lord, let us be known as a people that care for others, especially those who the world has ignored or cast aside. May we read the stories of the Bible and learn from your example. May we be a people of action that love you, Lord, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. May we love our neighbor as ourselves, without boundaries. And may these acts of service draw people to you above all else. Amen.

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Moving from Spectator to Participant: How The LOT Project Changed Me

The shift from wanting to serve in the community to helping others find a place to serve was subtle, yet significant. A few short years ago, I met Andy Gibson and Cody Wright at The LOT Project (David Moore joined the team a year ago). The idea was simple, just show up and lend a hand.

Change can happen in a flash. A mere spark is often found to be the culprit for a fire that scorches hundreds of acres, but the spark is only a catalyst. We may talk about mitigating sparks and controlling open flames, as we should, but the forest wouldn’t have burned so quickly if it weren’t for the slow change over time. The imperceptible move from a rich and luscious grove of trees to a dry and barren environment ripe for destruction often goes unnoticed.

The opposite is true, as well. I like to say that I’m a “recovering Pharisee,” meaning that I once was the one who took pride in studying the Bible, attending all church events, praying before meals, etc. There’s nothing wrong with any of those activities except the part about pride. I didn’t notice. The people around me didn’t notice either because they were all drinking from the same fountain.

Here’s the catch: there wasn’t an “aha” moment. There wasn’t a particular time when it was clear I was on one side of the line or the other. Honestly, it’s not really a line; instead, it’s more like moving from dark gray to light gray. However, when I look back at the time I began to serve at The LOT Project, the change is now evident.

I’ve always been one who is drawn to serve others. Serving is part of my DNA. From the time I was a young child, we served in a local church and the community. I love the fact that churches, in general, promote serving the community. But if the motive for serving is only to spend some uncomfortable time around others who need to be served, we’ve missed the point of the lesson.

Peter sums up the idea beautifully here:

Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:7-10

Verse 10 captures the whole notion of serving at The LOT Project, use whatever gift you have received.

When you first serve on a Tuesday or Thursday night, you’ll hear a consistent message from Cody or whoever speaks as we circle up just before opening the doors. We’re here to provide free clothing, hygiene products, shoes, and a meal, but more than anything, we’re here to remind those we serve that they are God’s amazing creation. Each and everyone is a beautiful work of art handcrafted by the Master that created the entire universe. Take time to get to know some of the friends we serve.

The sign painted on the wall outside by a group of Middle School students, led by Josh Powell, captures the essence of this reminder: worthy, hope, and love.

As you look at this photo, reread Peter’s words. What a beautiful scene! These are faithful students. With each stroke of the brush, the wall beneath becomes a testimony to love and beauty. The cracks disappear, and the imperfections absorbed as your eye is now drawn to the giant letters that proclaim WORTHY. I’m thankful for Josh and his class, but they’re not the only ones.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, a faithful few show up to sort through donations and prepare the room for guests on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Each week the process is repeated. Drip, drip. Slowly, the bucket fills with water until its overflowing.

Kindness is contagious.

The core of The LOT Project is love for each and every person the way the perfect Father loves his child. You’re bound to change when you surround yourself with people with hearts set on loving the least of these, just like the most of these.

And that’s the point of this entire story.

Week after week, I moved from feeling awkward about sitting and talking to someone I’d never met to looking forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays to check in on Chris, Emmanuel, William, Kristi, Felicia, on and on. Suddenly, it’s normal to say, “I love you” to people a year ago I never knew.

Your experience serving at The LOT Project will be different than mine, or at least I hope it will. Honestly, I couldn’t think of anything more encouraging. It would be incredibly boring if we were all alike! What I know is I’ve been able to experience the joy of not just serving others, but loving people from all walks of life and on both sides of the serving line!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

One last thought as I wrap up this post: get in the game. Go and serve as Peter reminds us all. Serve with joyful hearts. Look inside your heart for a place to be Jesus to someone that needs to hear the assurance that the Creator loves them. There is no more excellent form of evangelism, no stronger discipleship than serving others with the eyes and heart of Jesus Christ.

Go. Serve. Love.

And for goodness sake, smile!

 

 

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When Leaders Pray

In one way or another, we’re all leaders. People will choose to follow (or not) based on our actions, decisions we make, policies we support, or the goals we pursue. Leaders, in this case, suggest those who are leading well, i.e., they are respected and admired. The number of people following is not the point, but if we’re to spread the Gospel to the entire world, at some point, we need to bear the burden of leadership. One other important distinction before we dive in: our overarching strategy is to lead others to Christ, not ourselves. That’s where Christian leadership experiences the most tension. I don’t want you to follow my blog or read my book as a way of honoring me. I want you to read some words that point you to Christ, not me.

We have the incredible fortune to have the Bible at our disposal. I hope my description of The Reading Room made some sense and encouraged you to invest time hearing from God consistently. Throughout the Bible, we read stories of leaders that succeeded and those that failed. There are lessons to gain from both perspectives. Today, I’d like to consider the prayer life of a leader.

Have you ever wondered what effective leaders pray for? In this journey to become more Christ-like, we’re focused on how Jesus led, taught, prayed, slept, rested, etc. In this particular study, I’m biased toward understanding how God cares for those our society has discarded.  It’s my greatest desire to learn lessons from his life that I can put to use in spreading his kingdom on earth. This lofty goal leads me back to Scripture for advice.

In this instance, my mind is drawn to King Solomon. Take a moment and read Psalm 72. I’ll highlight a few verses here, but it’s important to remember that this began as a prayer by Solomon, perhaps the wisest and richest man the world will ever know, one who had everything any man could want. Let’s take a look at Solomon’s prayer.

Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
Psalm 72:1

Solomon begins by praying for justice and righteousness, then explains why in the following verse:

May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
Psalm 72:2

Those under the king’s authority are not his own; they belong to God. These are “your” afflicted ones. Solomon continues this theme throughout the psalm. He recognizes that through justice and righteousness, people are drawn to God. All people.

May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy and may he crush the oppressor. Psalm 72:4

The beginning stanza of this prayer focuses on victory by caring for those who are troubled. Have no doubt, the king expects to honor for his efforts, but why would he mention the needy, the afflicted, the weak, and the oppressed? The reason is simple: God cares for the least, the lost, and the lonely. If he refuses to care for the least of these, can he expect prosperity? Will tribes bow before him and enemies lick the dust?

When a leader leads well, other leaders will follow. And more importantly, the needy are delivered.

For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
Psalm 72:12-14

When Solomon executes the list above, all will shout, “Long may he live!” He will have earned respect from all people by focusing on the least.

It’s a bit of a conundrum and a slippery slope for those with self-preservation in mind. We should all beware of our internal motivation.

Description of the Messiah

The prayer of Psalm 72 becomes a prophetic message about the coming Messiah and ends with this exclamation1:

Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.
Psalm 72:17

The NIV Study Bible notes include this insight:

Later Jewish tradition saw in this psalm a description of the Messiah, as did the early church.2

Many others agree that this psalm provides a beautiful example of Christ. When we look at his earthly ministry, we read about how Jesus was concerned for the needy.

Reread the psalm with Jesus in mind. Go ahead and substitute “Jesus” where you see references to “the king” or other places that refer to Solomon. Here’s an example:

For [Jesus] will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
[Jesus] will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
[Jesus] will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.

For those who are waving the heresy flag, calm down. I’m not rewriting the Bible. Here’s the thought: if we are sincerely trying to be like Christ, our prayers should reflect his nature. If I pray for success in some effort today, I should be praying that Jesus succeeds. My goals, my desires, my motivation should match that of the Holy Spirit that lives inside me.

When our prayer life becomes like Jesus’ prayers, we will lead others to Christ. It might be from a platform, or it might be scooping some food on a plate. We might have a bestselling book or write a note that encourages someone. Large and small, the weight of the impact is disproportionate to heavenly rewards.

Pray Psalm 72 for yourself. Seek to be one that cares for the afflicted more than anyone else. I’m pretty sure the outcome will make Jesus smile.

 

1Psalm 72 ends at verse 17. Verses 18-20 conclude Book II of the Psalter.
2NIV Study Bible, p.936, note on Psalm 72, Zondervan, 2011.

 

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Time to Grow Up

I listened to another sermon by Tim Keller today that caused me to stop and consider my current spiritual maturity. Our culture is pretty good about keeping track of progress during our formative years as humans on the planet. Soon after we’ve learned to walk and talk, we begin the assessment process from Pre-K all the way through Twelfth Grade or beyond. Each year forever etched in our memory like rings around a tree. We know we’re growing because we receive a report card from those who have gone before and have earned the position to stand in judgment. It’s funny that those we viewed as mature leaders don’t seem so old and wise as I get older, but that’s not the point and not where I’m going. For the sake of argument, let’s assume our teachers did an adequate job of grading us all those years. What’s next?

Once we get beyond the academic environment, we graduate into a society that grades us much differently. How we grow and mature is no longer monitored by tests and grades; instead, it’s much more difficult to assess.  Keller’s sermon, How We Can Grow1, caught my attention as he set the groundwork for his series on growing in Christ.  It seems fitting that we pause on New Year’s Eve to consider how we matured in the past year. Consider Peter’s concise beginning to chapter 2:

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3

One of the key phrases in this passage is the notion that we can directly impact our growth by craving pure spiritual milk. The time we invest approaching God in complete surrender provides great strength for the coming days. The opposite holds as well. If we choose not to spend time with God, we become weaker and are unable to cope with the troubles of this world effectively.

Keller made some particularly interesting points in his sermon concerning growing up. When a baby cries because she’s hungry, her parents will feed her immediately. But if a 15-year old cries for the same reason, the reaction is much different. Think about that for a moment. I’m sure I’ve said something like this to one of our 15-year old daughters, “If you’re hungry, fix yourself a sandwich!” Right? As a parent, you’re helping the child by not doing everything for them as they mature. The moment we first come to Christ, when we truly open our hearts and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are just like the newborn baby. However, fifteen years down the road, we should not be acting like a newborn anymore. We should not expect God to treat us the same, but so many times, I catch myself wondering why I’m facing this difficulty or some test that seems to be out of my reach. I cry out to God, “Why did you do this?” Then I wonder, am I still an infant?

What does this have to do with the biblical mandate to serve the least, the lost, and the lonely? I’m delighted you asked. To be blunt, it has everything to do with serving others, with living out our faith. As we become more Christ-like, we will naturally seek to save the lost, to help the afflicted, to be unnaturally kind to the oppressed. We have come to expect that of Jesus; why would we not expect that of ourselves? We must grow in our salvation to effectively serve those who are struggling to survive.

Peter continues to offer encouragement.

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

Pause for a moment and consider that these words are coming from Peter. Reflect on the spiritual growth that he’s undergone and consider how Jesus reinstated and supercharged his ministry. Peter would not have been able to say these words 30 years earlier as a young follower of Christ. No one would expect that of him. Likewise, we should not expect new believers to have such maturity, even if they express unquenchable passion, but we should all be growing in a positive direction.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

Peter tells us we are a chosen people, God’s special possession. We are sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty — all of us. One of my favorite verses in the Bible exhorts us to behave in a way that draws people to Christ.

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12

When we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and then love our neighbor as ourselves, we will live in such a way that others will want to join our family. There is no better evangelism, not stronger discipleship than living and loving the way that Christ lived.

Lord, we are amazed that you called us to be a chosen people. In our early days, you fed us like infants then watched us grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). May we choose to grow in the coming years. Help us mature to better serve your kingdom on earth. Challenge us when we need to be stretched and forgive our whining when the days are long. Help us to see progress, however small, to encourage us to take the next steps to bring as many people as possible into the fellowship, the true Koinonia.

 

1 This sermon was preached by Rev. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on October 1, 1989. Series “Growth in Christ, Part 1”. Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11. Sometimes it’s only as you begin to see what the Bible says is true of a Christian, what is in store for a Christian, the kind of growth that can happen in the Christian’s life, that you can come to see very clearly you’re not a believer. You’ve been in and out of churches. You’ve been in and out of different religious organizations. “How do you know?” Sometimes one of the best ways to know is to look and see what the characteristics of Christian growth are. Growth in grace is the very essence of the gospel; otherwise, you’re left with a “niceism” or a “moralism” instead of Christianity. Link to Sermon

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Seeing People with God’s Eyes

What if we could see people the way God sees them? Think about it for a moment. If Jesus were standing beside me when I had some interaction that comes to mind, and I could ask him for his insight, what would he say? In an instant, Jesus would see eternity in the eyes of the brother or sister standing there. From birth to death and onto glory. Snap! He would see it all. He might turn to me and patiently ask me why I’m so concerned about outward appearance, temporary affliction, a moment of rage or confusion.

I’m confident Jesus would be unconcerned about how they looked. That’s not to say he wouldn’t care; he just wouldn’t judge someone by the clothes they wear or last time they enjoyed simple pleasures like a private bath or shower.

Jesus would be able to look beyond their present circumstances and see their potential future when basic needs are met, and meaningful relationships establish. He would smile. On the other hand, a tear would appear when the opposite is true when poor decisions were made to alter his path and spiral out of control. Freedom of will is a dynamic and incredibly complex concept.

When I look at the large group of people vying for a pair of shoes, a sleeping bag, or limited resources, I can’t help but wonder how they would act if they didn’t have to ask for any of the above. How many days did they wander without decent shoes or lay cold without proper bedding? How many days would it take for me to want to fight for some simple commodity?

What am I supposed to do when someone asks for a pair of one-way bus tickets just to restart their life? As I sit in my warm home with no worries about any of these thoughts, I truly wonder how to see these people with God’s eyes. I get stuck in Matthew 5 through 7, otherwise known as the Sermon on the Mount. Flipping the pages back and forth, reading the words I’m trying to get my mind around the thought that Jesus spoke these words to people in all stages of life and all levels of society. Those who first heard the words were mothers and fathers, lonely and desperate, old and young, rich and poor.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:3-4

The words apply equally across the spectrum. All I want is to hear the voice of Jesus so clearly in these moments that I might be moved to think as he would. When interactions are tense, I pray for an express ride to the balcony to view the scene from afar properly. I want to step out of time for an instant and see eternity in the eyes of those involved. I want to say to those we meet, “you are salt and light–your life matters!” The Father equally loves everyone. “Now serving number 1,” and everyone steps forward. The Father sees all.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4

I wonder what it’s like to see through God’s eyes, and then I remember the Holy Spirit is right here, deep inside my chest, always available, eager to answer. My humanity gets in the way too much of the time. Thoughts betray me and words that I regret slip from my lips. With a glance or glare, my eyes give away my inappropriate judgment, and I am revealed. There you have my confession. My heartfelt desire is for those moments to become fewer and farther between each day. The process takes time. I’m much better today than I was a year ago, but the hourly progress is difficult to appreciate.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2

Yes, I’m still re-reading the sermon and remembering not to worry, not to judge. Instead, simply ask, seek, and knock. Heaven awaits all who choose. Our job, in many ways, is to remove the barriers that prevent people from seeing the narrow way.

I think it’s infinitely more natural when we see people with God’s eyes.

Now serving number 1.

 

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My Brother’s Keeper

Am I my brother’s keeper? The question keeps coming up, though mostly indirectly. At a men’s breakfast Bible study this past Saturday, the verse popped up again at the beginning of the session.

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9

When looking at the biblical mandate for serving the poor, this verse is unlikely to make the list of Scripture references, but I hope you can make the connection. In the next few minutes, I hope to convince you we should include the text! Beyond that, I have no further goal. While I would like to claim these words might alter your desire to serve the least, the lost, and the lonely, how that looks in your life is between you and God.

Jesus summed up the entire Law in one rather simple statement: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. In my very biased opinion, this makes us our brother’s keeper.

The concept is simple, but how that looks in our lives is beautifully complex. Let me offer a musical example. Years ago, I was helping a youth group with a production that included a choreographed piece based on a popular song by Lecrae. It seemed simple enough: remove the vocal track from the mix to let the group fill in their part. I have professional software at my disposal, but I wasn’t able to lift the vocals without destroying the underlying music. My solution was to recreate the soundtrack, without the vocals. Mimicking a published song should be easy. The artist made all the decisions in his process of writing and recording the piece. All I had to do was listen and copy the parts.

What I discovered blew me away. I put in the essential rhythm parts and the central theme, but it sounded thin and hollow, so I listened closer to Lecrae’s masterpiece. I found layer after layer of nuances that had to be present to support the theme. Each part by itself was subtle, unnoticeable except for those who took the time to listen carefully to the song. Every element was precisely placed to complement the other. The more I zoomed in, the more I found. The beautiful thing was this: when I stepped back to listen to the original song from a distance, I had an entirely new perspective. And it was more beautiful than ever before.

Each of us plays a part in the dramatic life we’ve been given. It may be difficult for us to hear every little piece, but God sees it all. He is continually working to add an element here or there to make the song complete.

The idea works across all types of creative works. The painter creates her masterpiece one layer at a time, adding subtle hues and highlights. The symphonic composer considers how and when each instrument plays its part with a lot of rests in between. We might learn something in that concept alone.

Yes, my friend, I am my brother’s keeper, and so are you.

But just like the verse that followed Jesus’ summary of the Law, you might be tempted to ask, who is my brother? I’m posing this question much like the expert in the law that asked Jesus in Luke 10:25-37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. I know the story that prompted Cain’s response was his attempt to coverup the murder of his brother Able, and I’m not elevating everything we do to murder. What I read in this story is that God cares about each of us; therefore, we should care too. Let me make this a bit more challenging.

Consider two brothers. One is wealthy. He is incredibly successful in business to the point that he has more money than he could spend, but has no relationship with Jesus. He’s kind enough, but his whole life is all about making money. The second brother either finds himself in jail, homeless shelters or on the street. He’s easy-going and the first to admit his mistakes. Like the first brother, you have no idea about his spiritual state. Both call you to meet for lunch. Who gets the appointment? 

The expert in the law wanted Jesus to define who his neighbor was so he could comply with a direct command, another rule. But Jesus’ answer paints a picture rather than provides a checklist. In other words, we must live a life based on loving as God demonstrates throughout the Bible.

When I read through the Bible today, I’m looking specifically for words that help me learn how to get better at loving God and loving neighbors as myself. I turned back to the beginning, and suddenly scripture that I had never associated with the Greatest Commandment jumps out at me. How about you? Do you see the connection now? The 4th chapter in the Bible asks the question in my mind, but it’s not even the first reference. Take a look at chapter 3 for yourself. Then continue forward through the history of our Jewish ancestors and see how God is adding notes, dabs of paint, moments of silence, and words of wisdom throughout history. It’s all right there in plain sight, yet so hard to see at times.

Lord, we need your eyes to see our brother the way you see him; to love our sister the way you love her. I pray that you reveal this kind of love as we read your word so that we would become men and women of action rather than scholars that teach. May we become our brother’s keeper.

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Hannah’s Prayer

One of the joys I’ve had in this life is the time I’ve spent with youth and young children. Their perspective on life is untainted, pure, and honest–at least at the youngest end of the spectrum. Our modern culture shatters innocence far too early. As a reluctant middle school pastor, I learned this years ago. Young boys and girls became men and women well before years should allow. Whether we point to technology, pornography, or both, the family unit continues to unravel from the inside out. Domestic violence is on the rise. Divorce cripples families. Children are sold at an epidemic rate into human trafficking mayhem for which we are only partially aware. Mental illness among the youth continues to rise, and suicide is seen as the only way to stop the pain for too many beautiful children of God.1

Such agony is not new to our world and not unique to our culture. Digging deep into Hebrew history, take a look at one of the heroes of the Bible: Hannah.

In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 1 Samuel 1:10

We are only given a few verses to understand the context for this scene. Hannah was one of two wives of Elkanah. (I’m not going to discuss polygamy.) Though he cared for her most, she was not able to have children and was aggressively looked down upon by her rival. Culturally, she was an outcast who, at best, was pitied by the world. As we wade into the story, Hannah is deeply depressed, yet faithfully worships the Lord at the temple. Showing herself in public must have been humiliating. Eli notices.

There’s a humorous twist in the plot as Eli mistook Hannah for one who was drunk. Note to self: don’t be too quick to judge! Fortunately, Eli was able to look beyond outward appearances and see that this young lady was distraught. With a simple gesture, he changed the trajectory of Hannah’s life and the direction of Hebrew history.

Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.’ 1 Samuel 1:17

Most of the time, we read the verse above and continue along our way, but this is an extravagant statement. Eli is the High Priest. His words carry tremendous weight. In our culture, we toss words around carelessly, but Eli was not making a flippant comment to dismiss Hannah, nor was he trying to cover for his mistake. Eli was moved by her statement and was deftly attune to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I cannot possibly explain the importance of his response. Hannah understands:

She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. 1 Samuel 1:18

Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to the mighty prophet we know as Samuel. She returned to the temple when Samuel was of age along with a bull as her sacrificial offering. She reminded Eli of their meeting years earlier, then fulfills her promise:

So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:28

She had no idea what this would ultimately mean to the people of God. There was no way she could have foreseen years into the future when Samuel would verbally hear God’s call. Eli didn’t know either. There was no band playing, no flashing lights, no haze machine setting the mood. In my imagination, it was just a typical day at the temple. Eli was going about his business accepting offerings and making sacrifices. Nothing special. He was merely doing what God called him to do, and both were faithful. They listened to the prompting of the Spirit without any promise of fame or fortune. Samuel became Eli’s very young apprentice and worshiped the Lord.

Hannah was so moved that she wrote a prayer to capture the moment (I think of it as a song). Her song is what prompted this particular entry into our discussion of serving the poor. I had to set up these few verses by providing some background. I hope you are now prepared to hear her words.

He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
and has them inherit a throne of honor.

For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
on them he has set the world.
1 Samuel 2:8

Oh yes, I cherry-picked the verses that speak to exalting the needy. Please forgive my laser focus on the topic. But hear Hannah’s words as someone who was rejected by society, her family, and her neighbors. In those days, perhaps even now, those with problems were seen as unrepentant sinners. There was a simple cause-effect relationship to sin. And people weren’t shy about pointing this out.

Fast-forward to the 21st century and observe our society. Many people point to those who are homeless, imprisoned, poor, and needy as those who have made unwise decisions and cast them out as a result. We’ve learned to avert our eyes from those in need, but God does not forget. His plan is to set crowns on the heads of those who call Jesus their Lord and Savior. God will set the poor beside the prince, the desperate next to the princess, he will raise the downcast.

Allow me to offer one more quick thought about the two main characters in this story, Hannah and Eli. Hannah is clearly the hero, the one we honor most in this story. She grabs the headlines and deserves the recognition for her actions. But let’s not forget Eli. As you go about your ministry today, preparing your place to receive people, making sure things are tidy and well kept, may I suggest you look at Eli in this story. Your role is just like his. Day after day, you offer your work as a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord without any knowledge of Hannah’s that might wander into your presence.

Keep up the excellent work, Eli. Now, go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.

Amen.

 

1 I’m not a fan of citing news articles, but there are many articles and volumes of data on the topic. Nonetheless, forgive me for using a Washington Post news article.

 

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Giving Presents of Food to One Another and Gifts to the Poor

One of the most amazing things about the Bible is its ability to speak in different voices depending on how you ask a specific question. In this current study, the question we are exploring concerns our responsibility for the least, the lost, and the lonely in our community. When I started the journey, I was looking for a list of mandates to support the reason why we should care for the poor, but what I’m finding is the answers are much more profound. The Holy Spirit has thus far humored me by speaking in terms that I quickly understood while at the same time introducing me to those who our society has labeled outcasts.

As I reflect on my recent experiences, I’m beginning to understand Father Boyle’s appeal and learning to stand in awe of what the poor have to carry. My heart is continuously breaking for the lonely who one day will lead the choir rather than stand beneath a sign hastily painted with words such as burden, difficulty, homeless, poor, and more. Welcome to the deep end of the pool. This is not for the casual observer.

While I have discovered many references that support the assertion that we should care for the poor, widows, orphans, imprisoned, etc., what I’m beginning to see is God is reminding us that he cares about those we would otherwise choose to forget. Do you know the difference? Yes, there are hundreds of references to those mentioned above, but enumerating the list is the shallow end. The deep waters that call us suggest that we should consider the character of the Holy Spirit when we read these thoughts. Is our goal focused on learning Bible references or becoming more like Christ? If this present journey is the narrow way to becoming more like Yeshua, then our investigation should focus more on understanding why than where.

The example I propose today comes from the story of Esther and Mordecai. Though the story is written in the 17th book of the Bible, the events take place toward the end of Jewish history captured in the Old Testament. I hope you’ll read this short story and see how God shows up even when he is not mentioned directly–perhaps this is the perfect seeker-friendly text to share with someone curious about our faith.

The conclusion of Esther provided in chapter 9 (chapter 10 is just three verses long), contains the big reveal and turning of the tables in favor of our Jewish ancestors. The celebration is meant to be an annual event for us to pause and remember the great deliverance by God for his people.

Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor. Ester 9:20-22

Two specific phrases caught my attention this morning: giving presents of food and gifts to the poor; thus, the title of this post. As I sit here this morning, I can’t help but think about those who struggle during the holiday season. We know of one particular family with a dad that just lost his job and of his struggling family. Faces of many come to mind that fills the local shelters. While I’m warm in my home, many are cold and uncomfortable.

When I reflect on the story of Esther, and I read how we should observe the Feast of Purim, I’m amazed to see how God never forgets the poor. In this fantastic celebration of liberty from the oppressor, the Jews celebrate with a feast like never before. At the last minute, death and sorrow became joy and celebration. Just when they knew it was over, God showed up through a few faithful people, and the tables were turned.

The significant series of events ends with food and gifts to the poor. This is our God. This is our reminder today.

There are many traditions from the Jewish community that we should not forget. This isn’t my idea, here’s what the author of Esther wrote:

And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants. Esther 9:28

The events of Esther and Mordecai foreshadow the ultimate victory in Christ Jesus. He came and shattered the illusion that bound the captives. He came to preach good news to the poor. Jesus came to remind us of that which we should not forget and modeled the behavior we should imitate.

Lord, as we celebrate our freedom, our salvation, our escape from the evils this world has to entice and trap, please help us to remember to give gifts to the poor. Help us to be more like you.

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The Year of the Lord’s Favor

Suddenly, Thanksgiving and Black Friday are in the rearview mirror. Advent is upon us. This season of hope insists that we look for words of encouragement beyond the sobering headlines. As I wander through the hundreds of verses chosen for this particular study, the words of Isaiah grab my attention. Chapter 61 begins with these three sentences unevenly distributed across the first three verses. I encourage you to pause between each as you read these carefully scribed thoughts:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
Isaiah 61:1a

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
Isaiah 61:1b-3a

They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3b

Reflections

Luke records that Jesus used Isaiah’s words at the beginning of his earthly ministry. The significance of this reference might be difficult for us to appreciate. At this point in Jesus’ life on earth, he’s been baptized, then seemingly disappeared to be tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. The way Luke tells the story, Jesus comes back to Galilee being praised by everyone as he returns to the local Synagogue to teach. There was something electric about his demeanor now. It seems like he’s getting traction. His next stop is to his hometown of Nazareth, where we read these words from Jesus:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Luke 4:18-19

The scroll of Isaiah contained words that were about 700 years old when Jesus read the words. Generations have heard the words repeated for years. Luke tells us, “the scroll of Isaiah was handed to him.” This would have been a pretty large scroll, probably a favorite of the Jews, especially toward the end. But this time, they heard the words spoken by Jesus, and something has changed.

…the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. Luke 4:20

There are probably times in your life when someone says something in a way that stops you in your tracks. Frozen. Imagine the scene. Pause. In my imagination, there are no sounds whatsoever. Not a bird, no cricket, not even a child stirring in the back. Complete silence. Then Jesus says the unthinkable:

He began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’ Luke 4:21

As you read the rest of Luke 4, you’ll see the story doesn’t end well. This might be difficult to appreciate if we overlook the beginning of the verse above, “He began.” Jesus had lots of things to say at that point, and he didn’t need to scroll as a prop.

Jesus taught them that the fulfillment of the scriptures is standing right in front of them. From this day forward, the captives can be freed, prisoners of their dark past can enter the light, mourning and grieving are a thing of the past! No more despair! Hear the good news!

Through Jesus Christ, all of these possibilities are a present reality. If you are captive, you are free through Christ. If you’re a prisoner, freedom is within your reach. Those lost in mourning, living without hope, shrouded in darkness are invited to bask in the glory of his light. His warm embrace awaits.

What has the Lord appointed you to proclaim? I’m confident that if you search for this answer, you will find something beautiful. One way to discover the goodness that lives inside of you is to serve the least, the lost, and the lonely in some way. You don’t need to dive in headfirst, though some have found success with this approach. If you’re already serving in some capacity, take another step into the unknown to grow your faith or invite someone else to begin their journey.

Those who have received Christ have the privilege of sharing this great news. Go out this day and show someone the love of Christ.

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I’m thankful for those who serve so well

Last night The LOT Project was overflowing with people from the surrounding community and a host of volunteers from Gospel Light Church and more. AnMed was there again to encourage and administer free flu shots as cases mount to infect some of the most vulnerable in our area. Special thanks to Bobbie Blake for organizing the effort! The food was incredible and plentiful. As my wife likes to say, “We serve an abundant God.” Indeed we do.

This particular night was just a few days before Thanksgiving. I can’t tell you how many people expressed thanks and gratitude for the kindness shown once again last night. The loving attitude is not unusual, mind you. Those who serve around Anderson pour out love and compassion to people in need every day. This is how they are wired.

Way back in Exodus, Moses conveys God’s desire for His people to live in a thriving community. The plan was unique. Unlike the neighboring regions, God wanted people to love His prized creation: people. A few verses come to mind:

Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.
Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits. Exodus 22:22, 23:6

These are just two points from a long list of rules that Moses enunciated just a few chapters after receiving the Ten Commandments. While the list encourages some to become legalistic, the core of God’s plan was far from some checklist religion. In order to become distinctive from other nations, Israel would need to have rules to guide their steps. The idea was to become a community that other nations would see and have an overwhelming desire to emulate.

In our modern context, imagine a gathering of people that loved and cared for each other without reservation–a dream church for pastors. In such a church, the widow and the orphan will be part of a family. They would never be abandoned or lonely. The poor would be treated justly; in fact, it would be difficult to see people as rich and poor. People would be cared for as if they were related. Father Gregory Boyle often quotes Mother Teresa like this:

“Mother Teresa diagnosed the world’s ills in this way: we’ve just “forgotten that we belong to each other.” Kinship is what happens to us when we refuse to let that happen.’

The insight is breathtaking. What would happen if we treated everyone like family? After all, we’re all related in Christ, right?

Earlier in the day, Zoë and I were at AIM to lend a small hand to their giant operation that distributes Thanksgiving food to hundreds of families from all over the county. Next, I made a quick stop by FAVOR to grab some lunch and, once again, I got to witness servants at work, loving on people as if they were family.

By the time I got ready for bed, my heart was overflowing with joy. As I began to pray for the friends mentioned above, the list continued to grow. If I began to type the list here, this post would go on for page after page. So many caring people. My eyes started leaking as I thought about those in need being cared for by the many faithful people in our community. The names and faces kept coming to mind as I thanked God for each one.

When I see God’s plan for unity playing out in front of my eyes, how can I not be moved? I know we have a long way to go, but friends, the more we embrace one another in love, the more we remember that we belong to each other, the more God’s rules make sense. We don’t need to read the Bible like a list of dos and don’ts. We get to read the Bible as a means of understanding His infinite love and grace for His creation — that includes us!

The biblical mandate to care for the poor is just an opportunity to become more like Christ. Isn’t that what we want?

May our abundant God bless you, immeasurably!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Your brother in Christ,
Dave

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