The Bible speaks often of the strangers (sometimes called aliens), the fatherless, and the widows. They may be the ones whom Jesus referred to as “ ‘ “the least of these My brethren” ’ ” (Matthew 25:40, NKJV).
How can we identify these people today? The strangers of Bible times were individuals who had to leave their homeland, perhaps because of war or famine. The equivalent in our day could be the millions of refugees who have become destitute because of circumstances that they did not choose.
The fatherless are children who have lost fathers through war, accident, or sickness. This group also could include those whose fathers are in prison or are otherwise absent. What a broad field of service is exposed here.
The widows are those, who for the same reasons as the fatherless, have lost their spouses. Many are the head of a single-parent family and could use the help that the church can provide.
As we will see this week, because we are managers of God’s business, helping the poor is not just an option. It is following the example of Jesus and obeying His commands.
Thought questions: “ ‘For the poor will never cease from the land’ ” (Deuteronomy 15:11, NKJV). Besides the fact that this prediction, though thousands of years old, unfortunately has been fulfilled, how are we to understand it today? Some have used these words to all but justify not helping the poor, reasoning this way, “Well, God said the poor would always be among us; so, that’s just the way it is.” What’s the fallacy of that thinking?
Unto the least of these (Qtr 1 - Week 7: 18 February) Part1
Unto the least of these (Qtr 1 - Week 7: 18 February) Part2
Audio recordings are available 5-10 minutes after the show has aired.