Devotionals
James 2:15-16
Today a customer approached my counter and ordered a small sandwich, but before I could get the bread cut to the small size, he changed his mind and made it large. We conversed as we went from one end of the counter to the other, and it was his last comments that stuck with me all day.
“You know I can’t eat that whole sandwich, but I work with a couple guys that usually can’t afford lunch, so I will share with them.” He was only out a couple more dollars and it didn’t seem to bother him in the least.
The message was powerful! How often when we buy something to eat do we think about someone else and add a little extra to our order? How often when we buy groceries do we think about a friend or family member and add a little extra to our cart?
It really doesn’t take a lot to share and a gallon of milk or a ½ of a sandwich may just be a pivotal moment in someone’s life. I dare to say we have all been in the position of needing food in our cupboard, or going to work without lunch because the kids needed lunch money. We have all been in this position at some point (okay, except maybe for the select few), on the other side of this coin, I dare to say there is someone within our inner circle that maybe facing bare cupboards.
I will add this, for what it is worth; most people will not approach you and tell you when they are in need. You can call it pride if you are so inclined, nevertheless many people have been hurt and feel absolutely destitute and reaching out for help is difficult, (we will save the issues of pride for another article). If on the other hand we are expecting someone to come to us and ask for our help, we must be careful and examine our hearts closely and ask yourself why is it I need someone to ask me for help? Pride can be the result of this attitude as well! If you notice in the following scripture, James doesn’t say, when someone comes to you and ask for your help, and you don’t help them . . .no look closely at what he says:
James 2:15-16 (AMP) If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day, and one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?
We must be sensitive and paying close attention! Sometimes it simply calls for us stepping outside of ourselves and thinking about someone else for a moment. Often we won’t have to look very hard or far if we take the time to listen and see what is going on around us. The Word of God makes it very plain, it is not enough to tell someone you will pray for them, if you see the need and have the means to help! If the truth be told, many of us reading this today have more than enough food and it’s been many years since you’ve felt hunger pains due to a lack of provision, and it would do us good (in more than one way) to share our lunch!
I don’t know if my customer was a Christian, I do know he had a sweet spirit and a generous heart. He was practicing love for his co-workers in need, and isn’t that what it is all about?
I will leave you with the Message translation of the above text and let us pray today for opportunities to help those around us. Perhaps you just need to buy a little extra the next time you go to lunch or to the grocery store!
Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?
Jehovah-Jirah, our PROVIDER! Oh how often you have provided abundantly for us! Thank You gracious and merciful God! Lord, help us not to just talk about Your goodness, but to act out Your goodness! Help us to step outside of ourselves and notice those around! Help us not to wait for someone to ask for help, but to be sensitive to Your voice and know when to help and be obedient! We ask in Your Mighty Name, AMEN!
© Jounda LaMance November 28, 2006
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When I was growing up, my Mom would say 'she is adding an extra potato' to the pot, incase an unexpected guest would stop in for dinner.
Love ya, and stay warm in the snow!!
Jacque