Monday, January 26, 2009

The Sheep and the Goats

Matthew 25
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For 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, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

I've been thinking a lot lately about the response of the church is to be as our world is in global economic crisis. What does it mean to live in community? Who are we to help? How does God view that? How much is too much to give a person in need? How many people can live in a 2000 sf house? (yes, kind of joking, kind of not...)

I certainly have more questions than answers. I am also absolutely confident that we are to change. A lot. May we respond in a way that shows our love for Jesus (by showing our love for one another).

Your suggestions and comments are appreciated on this one....