Giving is fulfilling God’s Mandate

We are all called to imitate the character of Jesus Christ. The fundamental test of discipleship is not statements of objectives or declarations of noble purpose (as genuine as these may be doctrinal); it is likeness to the Master. Following whom? Disciple of whom? How much is evident? When people see us, do they see Christ? Someone once said that the mark of a true Christian is that, if the neighbours accused him or her of being a follower of Jesus, would there be enough evidence to sustain a conviction? Someone else said that the mark of a true Christian is that he or she is prepared to give their parrot to the town gossip. Christians are called to fulfill God’s purpose by imitating Jesus. If this occurs, everything else will fall into place.

Put a Smile on Someone’s Face

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” —Thich Nhat Hanh

I was Naked and You Clothed Me

The imperative to clothe the naked is spoken of in both the Old and New Testament. The prophet Isaiah exhorts us: “When you see the naked, clothe them” (Is 58:7). In the Letter of St. James we read: ““What good is it if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:14-16).

I Was Thirsty and You Gave Me Water

Matthew 25:35-40 New International Version (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, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’