I heard a quote one time and it made me feel convicted and do a double gulp in my throat. It was one of those toe steppers that made you evaluate yourself. I would love to share it because it was really prophetic and I can't stop thinking about it.
Ghandi said, "Ask the poor. They will tell you who the Christians are."
I have been asking myself," Why have I been obssessing over this so much?" I know that Jesus wants us to give to the poor. I know that Jesus demands it. I DO give to the poor. Why does this quote still rock my boat? I have really been praying and thinking over this the passed few days and I believe I am really on to something. I've been trying to think of why I care about this so much. Is it simply because Jesus said to?
Well, I usually have a pretty rebelious spirit, so I don't think I care about it this much just because I was told to. I began to meditate on this and I think I have figured out why this really resonates with me. Jesus didn't just say to give to the poor. He didn't just say that we had to love the poor...Jesus actually was poor.
He was poor....as in...NOT wealthy. My King, my Jesus, my Savior...was poor. He didn't come to this Earth to sit on a big thrown with all the expensive jewels in his crown, even though he could have. He didn't come to this Earth to order people around and not have to work because He was royalty. Nope.
He was a carpenter, which is hard work. He was a servant. He wasn't afraid to get dirty. He grabbed a chunk of dirt to make mud in his hands to heal someone's eyes. He could have easily just spoke and the man's vision would have been restored. Even God himself chose Jesus's family to be poor. That was intentional! I have been asking myself would I be as in love with Jesus Christ if he was the most fashionable dude or had the latest gadgets? Would I love Him and his spirit if I knew he had been wealthy? That is a twist I that has never crossed my mind. There is just something beautiful about Jesus, God's son, living amongst the poor and hanging out with the bad guys. I am absolutely not saying that it is sinful to have money and your finances in order. Heck, I am not even saying that it is a sin to have the latest gadgets. I am still in the midst of God speaking to me with all of this. I think it's okay to have some nice things, as long as it doesn't get in the way of loving God and loving others.....right? Then I see Jesus saying these things and I feel anxious about how much I have and how much I give....
The crowd asked him, “Then what are we supposed to do?”
“If you have two coats, give one away,” he said. “Do the same with your food.” John 12:11
Could you just give half of your stuff away and still be doing what Jesus commands? What would the person who has been gifted think? I know what I would think...."Oh, thanks. You will probably just go buy yourself a new one.." if I saw someone giving with only half of their heart instead of giving their whole self. Again, I am not saying we should live with nothing. I know that you have to work hard for what you receive in this world...but I think Jesus is pretty clear on this. He wants us to make serious sacrifice. To give up all that glitters in this world for what matters. Giving our time, energy, resources, finances, plans...our WHOLE self towards making Jesus famous and helping others.
There is a pastor named Francis Chan who lead a mega church in California. He moved from his fancy, nice house to a poorer community to follow Jesus and try to reach the impoverished area even more. He wanted his family to make friends there. He wanted to save more money to give towards causes that ultimately matter more than having the new Apple product. There is something revolutionary about that. I believe Jesus would agree. (Which is hard for me to say out loud, considering I love the newest Apple product as much as the next gal)
So my thoughts to ponder are now...why? Why did Jesus live so poor when he could have lived most lavished? I think it is because ministering to the poor, wounded, and unwanted members of society isn't some "mission trip" type of thing we go on. We cannot as effectively minister to someone unless we become like them. Get on their level. Love them where they are. Struggle right along side them.
I think that it is really kind and generous when people give finances to the poor, and even give time to them by serving in a soup kitchen type of thing. I am not saying that it is a tradegy that we do not give more...I am saying that it is a tradegy that we do not know the poor. Can we effectively love the way Jesus has requested by just dropping a few bucks in a homeless man's cup? You tell me.
