Lord, When Did We See You Hungry?
I was in the grocery store today. The man in front of me was buying his one item (loaf of bread). I put my two items on the conveyor belt too soon and they ended up right under the man's arms. He was trying to count out his money, which was only made up of coins. In my head, I was being prompted to help him out by paying for his grocery. I should have said something, but I did not until the woman behind me asked me how much was his bill. I was not sure, but I did not think it was very much. She told the cashier that she would pay for it with her groceries, and then I said "No, put it on mine. I should have offered that already." I asked the man, who was very grateful, and we all said how we have been there and we just wanted to help him out. I told him that I did not want to insult him, and was glad to help. After he left the store, I thanked the cashier and I thanked the woman behind me in line. That customer said, "It was just the right thing to do. I wish more people would do that nowadays."
I should have offered to pay, or help him pay, right away. I have been in his position before, and more than once, someone has helped me out. Why did I hesitate to offer to help a stranger, when it seems like so many others do not? I will be held accountable for my actions, but also my non-actions. I am grateful that I have Jesus as my Savior, who has taken my place, for when I have to face everything that I have done. I have a Savior who has shown me to do right, to do good. Jesus tells us that when we help others, we are helping Him. I love Him. so I must love those He loves.
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the 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 foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[f] you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:31-46 (English Standard Version)
