I was Hungry and You Fed Me (Originally posted on 2/6/08)

Matthew 25:36-40 (NIV)

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, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.


The other night I had the chance to go to a hockey game with my cousin. As we were walking through the parking lot we were approached by a man who told us how he hadn't had work in a few months and was asking for money. I pulled out a few bucks, him well saying, "God bless you" and my cousin and I walked away.

As we were on our way into the coliseum, my cousin asked me if I ever wondered what people did with the money I gave them. "Do you think they use it for food or do you think they use it for alcohol and drugs." I smiled, because this was something I had struggled with when I was younger. I told him that I figured some used it for necessities and some used it for other things.

I went on to tell him that the way I looked at it was Jesus told me to feed the hungry. If in good faith that is why I give a few dollars to a person then I am being obedient. If that person then goes and uses my money to do something else, then that is between that person and God.

As Christians I think we often allow the what if's to get in the way of what we are called to do. I cannot make another person be obedient, I cannot force another person to do the right thing. I can show that person an example of what Godly people do and hope that even if they don't use my gift wisely, they caught a brief glimpse of Jesus when I passed their way.

Monk and Neagle--The Twenty-first Time