Seek the Lost - Who's job is that?
- Lori Joy
- Feb 7
- 5 min read
Mark 16:15 - Then he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Matthew 25:35-36,40 - “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me … Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”
As Christians... Mark 16:15 and Matthew 25:35-40 becomes our to-do list. We are to be sharing the gospel of Jesus with others and as well addressing the all the problems afflicting the poor — hunger, thirst, alienation, lack of clothes, poor health, and injustice.
Some of us make donations to charities who help others overseas and in third world countries. But what about those in our own country?... our own cities?... our own neighbourhoods?... and those who may even be within our own churches?
Are we taking it upon ourselves to help a person we see as we walk down the street who is in need? Or a co-worker who is in need? Or even a friend in need?
Are we relying on "organisations" to do the active work of helping? Or are we ourselves active in helping anyone we see around us in need?
Helping charitable organisations is indeed a good thing, but it should never be our only go to. Think of our witness as a Christian if we walk past a homeless person and turn our face away as we walk by ignoring their need. How do you think this makes that homeless person feel?
One argument I often hear is, "I can't help them because if I give them money they will waste it in drugs or alcohol."... or, "I never carry cash anymore because I always use my debit card." And from others I hear them say, "Well I pray for them... I've done my part." Ok, but we need to understand that...
1) Not every homeless person are drug addicts or alcoholics,
2) Not every homeless person is "lazy" or just not willing to work. Many have severe mental wellness challenges that require treatment, and which are preventing them from obtaining and/or keeping a job,
3) There are ways to help them without handing out "cash"... depending on where you live, a $5 to $15 gift certificate to a fast food place or donut shop is a great way to help ensure that you donated funds will be used for the purpose it was given, and
While praying for those in need is indeed good and we should be doing that... we also need to be mindful that scripture also calls us to "action" to help in other ways as well.
Example of how you can take action to help...
Have gift cards from a local grocery store, fast food restaurant, or donut shop on hand. Then if your path crosses with a person in need, you can give them one of the gift cards so the person you are helping can buy a juice and a ready made sandwich, and be sure to also tell them that Jesus Loves them.
The gift card doesn't have to be a large amount. Depending on where you live, a $5 to $15 gift card is enough to buy a meal for one person. Buy as many gift cards each month as you feel your budget allows. If you can only afford to buy five $10 gift cards in a month and during the month you have come across 5 homeless people in need to give them to... then GREAT! Five people were shown the love of Jesus that month! If all you can manage in your budget is $20 a month, then four $5 gift cards helps 4 people each month. And if EVERY Christian was doing this actively, imagine the impact that would have in this world!
And as you give those people the gift card, if you also said to them, "I just want you to known that Jesus loves you and He does care about you because He told me to give this to you today."... imagine the witness that is to someone who does not feel they are loved or cared about at all, or who feels like God doesn't care about them or has abandoned them. Such encouragement and loving-kindness could help to point them towards the Saviour who can bring healing and restoration into their lives. It can be life changing for them, as well as eternal life saving!
By our example of love we can lead others to Christ. If we can't save the whole world, then save as many as you are able. In so doing you are in obedience to Mark 16:15 and as well you are in obedience to Matthew 25:34-46
Matthew 25:34-40 “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who will receive good things from my Father. Inherit the kingdom that was prepared for you before the world began. I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then those who are righteous will reply to him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you have done it for me.’"
And the next part of the passage in Matthew warns those who DO NOT show God's love to others...
Matthew 25:41-44 - “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Get away from me, you who will receive terrible things. Go into the unending fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry and you didn’t give me food to eat. I was thirsty and you didn’t give me anything to drink. I was a stranger and you didn’t welcome me. I was naked and you didn’t give me clothes to wear. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’ And they will go away into eternal punishment. But the righteous ones will go into eternal life.”
Hmmmm... that's some heavy consequences for not helping others isn't it?
So, I leave this for you to ponder and pray about today, and to reflect upon what God might want for you to do to help others, in ways that could also lead them into salvation. I pray that God will equip and strengthen you to do His work and to go forth boldly into this world to share His love. In Jesus name. Amen!
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