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1 Peter 4:8-10 (KJV)

8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Food Not Bombs flyer (Photo credit: Toban Black)

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This past summer I was a guest in the beautiful home of a young Hispanic family. I had a wonderful conversation with the lady of the house, a young woman who loves the Lord. She told me of the injustices she witnessed as an cafeteria worker in a local school. She spoke of how it broke her heart that the school’s policy forbade giving food to children who cannot pay for it. If a child is in line with a tray of food and is unable to pay, the food is thrown in the trash, and the child is sent away hungry. Lord, how we do hate to share. This is the exact opposite of what today’s verse commands: That we “use hospitality one to another without grudging,” and act as “good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

We live in a era of consumption. We eat for pleasure until our bodies are ravaged by disease. We buy what we cannot afford, build closets for clothes and shoes we hardly ever wear, and refuse to share our living space with others. We glut our senses with senseless and violent entertainment, and we self medicate our sorrows and frustrations with drugs and alcohol. Meanwhile there are people in our neighborhoods and cities who are jobless, hungry, homeless, ill, rebellious, elderly, frail or afraid. We know who they are. Their faces are not invisible. Yet we do nothing.

Christian, check yourself today. When was the last time you did something kind for someone who could not pay you back? Are you living in excess? If so, what are you doing with the things you don’t use? Challenge yourselves today to clean out your closets and cupboards. Clean them up and give what you don’t use away. The Salvation Army will even come to pick up your donations. There are people suffering quietly but not invisibly. You can’t say you love Jesus while ignoring the suffering of your fellow citizens of Earth. Challenge yourself to love your neighbor as yourself. Show kindness and hospitality, for it is pleasing to God.

Don’t forget to bless the name of the Lord and to be a blessing to someone today.

Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

Verneda