reflections on the least of these (ministry to the poor)
The two main scriptures that seem to jump out of the biblical text in this context are the Beatitudes (something that Mama Heidi Baker teaches about in her book Compelled by Love), and the phrase "the least of these." One of the Iris core values involves ministry to the 'least of these' - usually the poor, the lonely, the downtrodden, refugees, people in trouble, and those who just don't seem to be noticed in any society.
But there are people called to notice them. These people are not invisible, any more than you are. Jesus calls to these people, and when they turn to him, many of them become highly influential by God's grace and design. He uses the low and humble to confound the worldly wise.
Here is the positive half of "least of these" scripture in Matthew 25:31-40:
31 “But when the Son of Man[a] comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.
32 All the nations[b] will be gathered in his presence,
and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father,
inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.
I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.
36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me.
I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply,
‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?
39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth,
when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
And then there is the reminder that ministry can be simple:
"And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” (Matt. 10:42)
Often, it is as 'easy' as 'stopping for the one' (divinely set up appointments that God puts in your path). There are so many ways to do that, as your heart spills over with the compassion of God.
On August 30, 2017, both my husband Tony and I were impacted by words we came across.
Another verse on the poor was illuminated in my heart:
"Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick, and restores them to health." (Psalm 41 NLT)
That same day, Tony digitized some tapes from a 1992 Jackie Pullinger conference at London's Holy Trinity Brompton. These were his notes: "Jackie Pullinger: Ministry with the Poor - Jackie examines the biblical basis for work among the poor, and how God delights in using the poor in ways that confound the preconceptions of the world."
I have a feeling that we are going to learn so much as we work with the latch-key kids, as well as others - just like Heidi Baker did in Mozambique and elsewhere. So we will learn to play and to grow.
Matthew 5: 3-12
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
But there are people called to notice them. These people are not invisible, any more than you are. Jesus calls to these people, and when they turn to him, many of them become highly influential by God's grace and design. He uses the low and humble to confound the worldly wise.
Here is the positive half of "least of these" scripture in Matthew 25:31-40:
31 “But when the Son of Man[a] comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.
32 All the nations[b] will be gathered in his presence,
and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father,
inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.
35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.
I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.
36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me.
I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply,
‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing?
39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth,
when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
And then there is the reminder that ministry can be simple:
"And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” (Matt. 10:42)
Often, it is as 'easy' as 'stopping for the one' (divinely set up appointments that God puts in your path). There are so many ways to do that, as your heart spills over with the compassion of God.
On August 30, 2017, both my husband Tony and I were impacted by words we came across.
Another verse on the poor was illuminated in my heart:
"Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick, and restores them to health." (Psalm 41 NLT)
That same day, Tony digitized some tapes from a 1992 Jackie Pullinger conference at London's Holy Trinity Brompton. These were his notes: "Jackie Pullinger: Ministry with the Poor - Jackie examines the biblical basis for work among the poor, and how God delights in using the poor in ways that confound the preconceptions of the world."
I have a feeling that we are going to learn so much as we work with the latch-key kids, as well as others - just like Heidi Baker did in Mozambique and elsewhere. So we will learn to play and to grow.
Matthew 5: 3-12
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.