Charity starts at home

Reading: Matthew 25:31-46

When Jesus returns to earth, He will be governor of the whole world. And after a thousand years, He will judge the nations. He will separate the peoples—the sheep on the right, the goats on the left. To the righteous (sheep on the right) He will give the kingdom. He will tell them it’s because they fed Him, gave Him something to drink, invited Him in, clothed Him, looked after Him when He was sick and visited Him in prison.

Then the righteous will ask Jesus, the King, “When did we do all those things to you?” And He will say, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” And we know the fate of those on the left (the goats, the unrighteous) will be to eternal damnation, because they just did the opposite.

“And his mother and his brothers came, and standing outside they sent to him and called him. And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” – Mark 3:31-35 (ESVUK)

And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honour your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)—then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother,thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” – Mark 7.9-13 (ESVUK)

Lord, we pray that we will be willing hands, feet and heart in looking after and taking care of those who are in the household of God. We pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters who are in poverty and imprisoned. Help us to be salt and light in our own homes too. May we not forget that we ourselves are recipients of your mercy and grace. Amen. 🙏