I sat in a meeting a couple days ago with the principal of an area high school and a grant writer. During the course of that meeting I heard stories about government funding for “the least of these” amongst us. I must confess that has not always been my perspective of how our government works and certainly not how it takes care of “the least amongst” us. I was heartened because I do believe somewhere in our history hearts were directed through our powerful Judeo-Christian background that laid the foundation that, even as we have strayed in so many areas at times, can still be glimpsed through the layers of governmental darkness. That being said, I was disappointed to realize how much of the responsibility of justice for the poor was placed in the hands of God‘s people and has been turned over to a nameless, faceless, at times heartless, government. I believe if the church were doing God’s work in all it’s forms there would be no need for government agencies to take care of those genuinely at need in our midst. I want to be clear that I recognize that the most powerful and significant work being done with the disenfranchised and poor not only in this country but around the world is overwhelmingly done by God’s people. As I’ve been on mission trips around the country and across the globe I am always blessed to see that the majority, and typically the first, on the scene are members of God’s family, The Church. . Today, though the task is overwhelming, follow the advice of Andy Stanley as you look for a way to do for the one what you would like to do for the many. #BeTheEdge
“All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.” Galatians 2:10 NIV
