Do unto the least

July 11, 2005

I believe that just as Jerusalem will be a stumbling block , a millstone to the nations, so will the Jews be a stumbling block to the Church.

July 12, 2005

That verse can reasonably be applied to the principle of helping the poor and downtrodden. I am sure that Yeshua would want us to do that!

But I am also sure that it is correctly interpreted to mean that He will judge the gentiles by how we've treated the jewish people....and why wouldn't He?

God (the Father) did so many times in the OT. Even when He brought judgement on Israel through Assyria and Babylon, those same nations were judged for how they treated the jews.

Here in one chapter God judges Ammon, Moab, Edom and Philistia for their arrogance toward Israel. Take heed ye scoffers...

Ezekial 25

peaches · July 12, 2005

What does God mean when he says this?
Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

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i have been struggling with this verse for a couple of days and i really need it clarified in a completely diff light than the way i interpreted it. God IS really watching over me

Kansasdad · July 12, 2005

What does God mean when he says this?
Matthew 25:40

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

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i have been struggling with this verse for a couple of days and i really need it clarified in a completely diff light than the way i interpreted it. God IS really watching over me

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How are you interpreting the verse. What are your struggles with the verse?

I ask because I think many may have the same struggle and questions.

God Bless,

Kansas Dad

Keith · July 13, 2005

I appreciate this thread so much. I struggle with this, too. It's always been my prayer to act this way towards everybody. After all, the Bible says to love even our enemies. I don't want it to turn into legalism though. I've always been a "rule follower" and can easily fall into legalism if I'm not careful.

In regards to Yod's quote, I would like some feedback.

That verse can reasonably be applied to the principle of helping the poor and downtrodden. I am sure that Yeshua would want us to do that!

How should we act when so-called "bums" and "homeless" people ask us for money? If I knew it was going for food, shelter or any real need, I would give very happily. Unfortunately, there are so many who lie and use it for alcohol, cigarettes, drugs or even to supplement their income. I've heard of people with nice homes and cars who do this because they make more money doing this than working! I've used discernment in letting some men (never women) come to my apartment to shower, get clean clothes, make them a meal and even sleep overnight periodically. (I know that might make some people afraid for me, but I've come to trust my discernment in these cases.)

I also always wonder where they get the marker to make the signs??? I'm not trying to be cheeky or funny. I really would like some Biblical understanding on this. The cliche of the phrase aside, I want to do what Jesus would do.

July 13, 2005

How should we act when so-called "bums" and "homeless" people ask us for money?
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helping the poor and helping the slothful are 2 different things, brother.

I used to do homeless ministry every week and I found 2 kinds of people under the bridges. Some are down on their luck but trying while others think the world owes them something. One you can help and see fruit while the other you can help and they get worse. We are only enabling the slothful to be lazy when we help them.

There are lots of verses in Proverbs about the lazy, slothful, sluggard.

But lest anyone think that changed because of Yeshua, they should see that Paul was pretty clear about those who claim to have faith who will not work.

2 Thessalonians 3

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother

Those outside of the faith could be reached by the Lord's mercy so this doesn't apply to them, in my opinion....

fenwar · July 13, 2005

Many have interpreted the passage to refer to the general poor and needy, but that is not what He was saying.

Although if the particular poor/needy/sick/imprisoned person isn't considered one of Jesus' "brethren" (considering passages such as Gal 3.28 I would include Christians in this number!) - we have an imperative to do something about that too!

I agree that we should use discretion in how we help the poor; for example it is a good idea to donate money to a charity or homeless shelter rather than giving directly to beggars.

But I don't think we should be selective in who we help based on nationality or creed. That's the parable of the Good Samaritan in a nutshell. A demonstration of Jesus' love to someone in need is often instrumental in bringing them back to him.

July 13, 2005

And if the casting away be the reconciliation of the world ( the gentiles) then what shall the receivcing of them be but life from death?

The church has misunderstood this for so long. Has Hidden Israels Messiah from her, this verse is talking about love, for a specific people, the 'least', that doesn't necessarly mean that they are poor, not rich, but they are poor in spirit because they don't know he has come and the love he has for them. The giving of that cup of water could be to the richest Jewish person you know, but done in the name of Yeshua, with his love, his compasion is what he is speaking of.

July 13, 2005

Tony Campolo tells a true story of a Jewish boy who suffered under the Nazis in World War II. He was living in a small Polish village when he and all the other Jews of the vicinity were rounded up by Nazi SS troops and sentenced to death. This Jewish boy joined his neighbors in digging a shallow ditch for their graves, then faced the firing squad with his parents. Sprayed with machine-gun fire, bodies fell into the ditch and the Nazis covered the crumpled bodies with dirt. But none of the bullets hit the boy, though he was splattered with the blood of his parents. When his parents fell into the ditch, he pretended to be dead and fell on top of them.

Several hours later, when darkness fell, he clawed his way out of the grave. With blood and dirt caked to his little body, he made his way to the nearest house and begged for help. Recognizing him as one of the Jewish boys marked for death, he was turned away at house after house as people feared getting into trouble with the SS troops. Then something inside this Jewish boy seemed to guide him to say something that was very strange for a Jew to say. When the next family responded to his timid knocking in the still of the night, they heard him cry,

"Don't you recognize me? I am the Jesus you say you love."

After a poignant pause, the woman who stood in the doorway swept him into her arms and kissed him. From that day on, the members of that family loved and cared for that boy as though he was one of their own.

"I am the Jesus you say you love." Those words were more correct than you might imagine. Matthew 25:40 tells us that one day the Great King and Judge of all the earth will say to people like that kindhearted Christian lady, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you did it to Me."

This is from an organization called Bridges for Peace, you can read much more here about this scripture: http://www.bridgesforpeace.com/publication...Article-22.html

I tell you, if you don't leave this post without at least one tear running down your face you should know that you may be considered a goat.