Pastor's Ponderings, November 27, 2019

Let’s Love God’s Children Like God Loves Them

The Neufville and Fair families are excited to announce that a new addition has joined us! Kyra Aurélie Neufville was born at 4:47 pm on 11/22/19.  Our families are very happy about her birth.  She will have many who will surround her with love. She will have many praying for her to be blessed in her life. However, we cannot help but think about the many children who will be born without support and in poverty. According to the US Census Bureau, 17.5 percent of children were poor in 2017, which was defined as an annual income below $25,283 for a family of four. The article went on to state, “Overall, children remain the poorest age group in the nation.”

Hubert Humphrey who served as U.S. Vice President from 1965 to 1969 said: “the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; those who are in the shadows of life; the sick, the needy and the handicapped.”  In the Bible at the time of judgment, nations will be judged on how they treated the least when Jesus will say, “…whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40).  

In our family, we are truly ecstatic about our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who are surrounded by people who are concerned about their education, their resources, and their well-being.  We have been careful to ground them in teachings about Christ and His love, direction, and wisdom for their lives. Nevertheless, we must also be concerned about those children who through no fault of their own are tossed into less fortunate circumstances with inadequate resources, little or no moral background, and subject to uncaring people.

When we see television programs showing children begging or going through garbage to seek food, are we turning the channel to more entertaining programs, simply going for our checkbooks, or are we researching local programs to help children who are on the streets and being trafficked or assaulted? Are we asking what can we personally do to help the children (1 John 3:17, 18)? Are we asking, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  Let us decide to love, assist, help, comfort God’s children as we feel led to do and thereby do God’s work on earth (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

Matthew 25:40
New International Version (NIV)

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.’

1 John 3:17, 18
New International Version (NIV)

17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 
18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 

New International Version (NIV)

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.