For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, 'You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land.'
Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV
This is only one of the laws that God handed down to the Isrealites. There were several hundred, but due to the number of times we are called to remember the poor, the orphans and the widows, we must come to the conclusion that caring for them is very dear to God's heart.
In today's culture, thousands of years after the law was given, it has been proven true. We still have the poor among us. We still have widows, we still have orphans, and we can safely add single moms, drug addicts, and ex-convicts who have difficulty finding employment and housing to the list.
If we call ourselves "Christians," if we know the love of Christ, I believe our correct response to his mercy and grace, is to show mercy and grace to those less fortunate. Here in Oklahoma City, there are many organizations doing this. One of them is City Rescue Mission. They provide much needed assistance to the poor, homeless, single moms, kids and addicts. What are we doing as individuals? If you know you should be helping others but don't know how to get started, or even where to start, contact your local homeless shelter. I'm sure they would be happy to get you plugged in to their volunteer program.
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.
James 2:8 ESV
Deuteronomy 15:11 ESV
This is only one of the laws that God handed down to the Isrealites. There were several hundred, but due to the number of times we are called to remember the poor, the orphans and the widows, we must come to the conclusion that caring for them is very dear to God's heart.
In today's culture, thousands of years after the law was given, it has been proven true. We still have the poor among us. We still have widows, we still have orphans, and we can safely add single moms, drug addicts, and ex-convicts who have difficulty finding employment and housing to the list.
If we call ourselves "Christians," if we know the love of Christ, I believe our correct response to his mercy and grace, is to show mercy and grace to those less fortunate. Here in Oklahoma City, there are many organizations doing this. One of them is City Rescue Mission. They provide much needed assistance to the poor, homeless, single moms, kids and addicts. What are we doing as individuals? If you know you should be helping others but don't know how to get started, or even where to start, contact your local homeless shelter. I'm sure they would be happy to get you plugged in to their volunteer program.
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.
James 2:8 ESV
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