Giving isn’t just for the wealthy; it’s for all of us.

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40

Several years ago when the Southern California economy took a downturn, Pastor Bob Johnson saw not only difficulty but also opportunity. So he scheduled a meeting with the mayor of his city and asked, “What can our church do to help you?” The mayor was astonished. People usually came to him for help. Here was a minister offering him the services of an entire congregation.

Together the mayor and pastor came up with a plan to address several pressing needs. In their county alone, more than 20,000 seniors had gone the previous year without a single visitor. Hundreds of foster children needed families. And many other kids needed tutoring to help them succeed in school.

Some of those needs could be addressed without much financial investment, but they all required time and interest. And that’s what the church had to give.

Jesus told His disciples about a future day in which He would say to His faithful followers, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance” (Matt. 25:34). He also said they would express surprise at their reward. Then He would tell them, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (v. 40). 

God’s kingdom work gets done when we give generously of the time, love, and resources He has provided us.

What lonely person is the Spirit bringing to your mind right now? Can you visit them, call, or write? What young person in your life could use some of your time and attention?

施予并不是有钱人的专利，而是我们的本分。

这些事你们既做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上，就是做在我身上了。-马太福音25章40节

几年前，美国南加州面对经济衰退，但鲍柏·强森牧师却在危机中看见契机。于是，他安排与市长会面，问市长说：“有什么事是我们教会可以帮忙的？”那位市长相当惊讶，因为通常人们找他，都是要他帮忙，但这位牧师却为他提供教会全体会众的支援。

过后，市长和牧师共同制定计划，解决一些迫切的需要。仅在该郡就有超过二万名孤苦老人无人探视，数百名儿童需要寄养家庭，还有许多儿童需要课业辅导，以帮助他们完成学业。

其中一些解决方案不需要投入太多资金，但所有的方案都需要人们愿意付出时间与关心，而这正是教会所能提供的。

耶稣告诉门徒，将来有一天，祂会对忠心跟随祂的人说：“你们这蒙我父赐福的，可来承受那创世以来为你们所预备的国”（马太福音25章34节）。耶稣也说这些人会因所得的赏赐而感到讶异，但祂将会告诉他们：“这些事你们既做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上，就是做在我身上了。”（40节）

当我们慷慨地付出上帝供应我们的时间、爱心和资源，便能成就上帝国度的工作。

圣灵有没有让你想起一些孤单寂寞的人？
你能拜访、打电话或写信给他们吗？
有哪些年轻人是你可以花时间去关心的呢？

Matthew 25:31-40New International Version (NIV)

31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 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.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

整理：于姊妹