Matthew 25:35-36, “35 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, 36 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.”
In the above verses Jesus gives a picture of Judgment Day. According to this entire passage known as “The Sheep and the Goats,” one of the main things that He is going to judge us all by is “acts of kindness.” These acts of kindness such as feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, and clothing the naked will be considered as done unto Jesus Himself if we do them in His name.
Therefore, every disciple of Christ should stand for Christian Charity (acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name). On average Christians account for the largest single group of people who give to charitable causes accounting for over $545 billion dollars worldwide. Though this number is enormous it is only 1.8% of the Christian’s annual income, which is around $30.5 trillion dollars (totaled by adding together all who claim Christ around the world).
Just in the U.S. the average Christian currently gives less to the church in terms of percentage than during the Great Depression, from 3.3% to 2.6% of their total income. As a result, we as Christians can do more for others if we do less for ourselves. Do we really need the latest phone, car, TV, or computer? I believe we should all challenge ourselves to spend less and give away more. For Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Here are three ways to stand for Christian charity: (1) Try to give 10% (a tithe) to your local church and 5% to charities (including missions and local church outreaches); (2) Be generous with those around you. For example, carpool, offer a free lunch to your coworkers, and consider giving away what you would try to sell in a “garage sale;” and lastly, (3) Pray for God to use you to touch people’s hearts with your life by meeting their needs.
Reflection
Do you give to Christian charities?
Action
- Explain from the Bible why you should stand for Christian charity.
- Pray that God will use you to be a generous giver.
- For more information regarding standing for Christian charity read the following books, “Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life,” by Robert Lupton and “When Helping Hurts,” by Steve Corbett.
