Unto the Least of These

Have you ever been bombarded by a particular topic?

For example, your pastor preaches about a particular subject, which happens to be the same topic of a book you are reading, which comes up in a conversation with a friend, and is repeated by your favorite blogger.

Soon you are shouting, "I got the message!"

Or am I the only one? Maybe the Lord knows my thick skull needs multiple reminders to get my attention.

Well, it happened again. And this time the topic is giving.

I'm not even sure where it began. Maybe with a little booklet given to us at church entitled A Little More Could Change the World. The statistics shared were startling. For example, "Christians in America spend $21 billion every year on soft drinks. $13 billion a year would feed every starving person in the world."

Since then, I've been reminded of the command to give to the poor in the name of Christ in numerous ways. And by now, I got the message. I just am not sure what to do with it.

Particularly I've been thinking about Christmas, even though it is only September. We try to keep Christmas simple at our home, but it is hard. It is easy to get caught in the commercialism, give to those who already have more than enough, and feed our children's selfish desire for more stuff. Another quote from  A Little More "For $10 billion we could free millions of bonded laborers. US Christians spend 10 times that much every year exchanging Christmas gifts."

I've hesitated to write about this subject. I keep thinking of all my every day luxuries and the unnecessary purchases I've made the last six months. What do I know about sacrificing to give to others? Nothing.

Do I enjoy a simple life in the country, stretching my husband's income by cooking from scratch and gardening - just so that I can live my picture of the American dream? Or to advance the kingdom of God by sharing my abundance? Thy Hand Hath Provided has been asking some good questions recently on living simply in order to give.


A Little More challenges readers to immediate action. Increase giving by $15 dollars this month. Share the challenge with 10 other people today. Don't wait until you have it perfect. Just start somewhere. So, I'm sharing this message with you.

Please consider how you can be part of God's work in the world.

Go to Good Measure International and ask for a free copy of  A Little More Could Change the World or read it online.

Watch the short video at The Advent Conspiracy.

And if you want a real pull on the heart strings, read of Ann's recent visit to Guatemala. Her words and pictures brought back memories of my visit to that country before I was married. I realize how much I have been caught up in my own little world of diapers and dishes.

I'm not planning to go anywhere. I plan to keep gardening, canning, and washing cloth diapers. I just hope to raise my eyes higher than Thistleberry Hollow to the my lost neighbor, to the town addict, to the enslaved girl in Thailand.

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me. - Matthew 25:40