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 today’s passage Jesus gave a picture of Judgment Day in regards to charitable giving to His people. According to this entire passage known as “The Sheep and the Goats,” one of the main things that Jesus is going to judge us by is our acts of kindness to others, especially Christians. These acts of kindness such as feeding the hungry, housing the homeless and clothing the naked will be considered as done unto Jesus Himself, when 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- over $545 billion dollars worldwide. Though this number is enormous it is only 1.8% of Christianity’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. We as Christians can do more for others if we do less for ourselves. Do we really need all the stuff we spend our money on? I believe we should all spend less and give away more. For Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

What we do for others in Christ’s name will become treasures in heaven to be enjoyed forevermore in the Kingdom of our God.

Here are three ways to stand for Christian charity; (1) Be faithful to give 10% of your total income (a tithe) to your local church and 5% to charities (specifically to missions and local church outreaches). (2) Live a generous life towards those around you. For example, consider giving away what you would normally try to sell in a “garage sale.” (3) Pray for God to use you to touch people’s hearts with your life by meeting their needs. Look for opportunities each day to do something for someone else.

Reflection

Do you give to Christian charities?

Action

  1. Explain from the Bible why you should stand for Christian charity.
  2. Pray that God will use you to be a generous giver. A pastor once said, “God increases our wealth not only to increase our standard of living, but to also increase our standard of giving!”
  3. Resources: “Compassion, Justice, and the Christian Life,” by Dr. Robert Lupton & “When Helping Hurts,” by Steve Corbett.

One Year Reading Plan

Zechariah 9:1-17, Revelation 17:1-18, Psalm 145:1-21, & Proverbs 30:32. Click here to read online.