Are These Brothers Of Mine?

I remember the urgency in my heart to give an offering to a ministry team catering to orphans the first time I met the people, but didn't follow up with it. After a few minutes speaking with the people involved, I could feel the burden of the ministry and see the unending and at times unmet needs. Since the people were to visit us again in a future trip, I decided with the permission of the leaders of the church I was attending that I would place a container requesting donation for the orphans at the main entrance of the church.

For a couple evenings after work, my children and I went to three different stores hoping to find a decent container to no avail. The last night as we went to a Chinese place to get some food, I noticed that the lady had a simple jar with a hole on the cover top for people to drop coins. I thought that I could use a regular jar like that. When I asked her where she got it, she offered to give me one. I accepted. Of course I was thinking that the look of the vessel wasn't that important. I was hoping that when the people see the vision and understand the reasons for the request they would happily oblige and help.

It was count down time for the great day of the visit and time for the jar to reveal its hidden treasure. A couple agreed to count the money donated. We were in for a surprise. We didn't get what we thought a church our size could contribute even if everyone was to only donate one dollar. Grief overwhelmed my soul. I started complaining to God saying, “Why didn't you speak to your people to donate like I ask you? Why?”

The morning of the big day, under much distress I decided that I will personally go to a few people and ask them for money in person. I still wanted to add to the meager amount I had. I told God that I would go to three people and if no one gave that I would not ask no one anymore. I guess God answered me according to my expectation. I went to three people sitting at a table and tell them about the people coming in town and if they could donate a couple of dollars for the orphans. To my surprise two people look at each other and muttered under their breath, but one was very clear enough to tell me that she didn't have any money.

That was the pit. I left the place humiliated, went to my car and started complaining again to God. I told him that I was doing it for him and that the orphans were also his people and that I didn't want to have these feelings and disappointment in my heart nor wanted to deal with the people anymore. I told him to talk to his selfish people and have them give a great offering to the visiting ministry. I was so upset that I told him that these people are so sheltered that they didn't understand what it means to live in a third world country with no food, shelter, only the clothe on your back and no peace. I complained enough to God until I felt appeased. Isn't he a great and big God that would take all our murmuring and complaints without answering the way he should have and putting us in our place?

Later on thoughts started coming in bringing into mind the story of the first Christians in the book of Acts who sold their possessions to share what they have with the poor. I liked the idea that they had everything in common and would give to everyone as the need was manifest (Acts 2:44). Then I remember about the rich ruler in Luke 18:18-23 that Jesus asks to sell everything he has and give the money to the poor since he thought he had obeyed all the commandments of God.

Then it dawned on me, I don't have much, but I don't think that I would want to sell everything I have and distribute to the poor. In looking at it, how much then do I really love the poor and the orphans? Even what I currently give is always from the abundance Father has given me. With this state of mind am I then being hypocritical and judgmental at being so upset when someone doesn't want to give me a couple of dollars for the poor? Jesus, please help! Was it Father humbling me and making me realize that he is in control and that I should always wait on him?

I understand that Father did a great work in the heart of the people that day when Pastor requested that an offering be taken for the orphans after a great media presentation. Now, should we be more inclined to give under emotions and compulsions, or should it be a matter of the heart to see a need and wanting to help?

Remember that when there is a need don't worry that the amount you would want to give is so small that you think it is insignificant. Please just give! It may feel like a drop in the bucket or the ocean but it takes many, many drops to fill a cup and the ocean to overflowing. It will also take all of us children of God working together to reach the poor and needy and make an impact in this dark world.

No matter what I am reminded of the Word of God in Proverbs 3:27-28 and Proverbs 21: 13 that state “Do not withhold good from whom it is due, when it is in your power to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,' when you have it with you.” And “He who closes his ears to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.” Let be like the ones described in Matthew 25:37-40 of whom the Lord will say, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus