“If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?”
There is an awful lot in this verse. One of its core truths is that we are all expected to walk in the light we have been given. God knows what you are responsible for. He knows how aware you are of the needs around you and you will be held accountable for those you ignored and did not meet. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the volume of struggles in the world, even in your own community. We can see all the needs and give up because they seem beyond helping. I was once struggling with the level of poverty in a neighborhood not far from my home when I heard Andy Stanley challenge a group of us to “do for the one what you’d like to do for the many”. That was very encouraging. I didn’t stop feeling deeply for all those hurting and in need but I was no longer immobilized by my emotions. I began to act on behalf of the “one” and over time saw the ability to help more grow. At this time of year there can be an acute awareness of those in need. We can easily ignore it in the midst of our own pleasant distractions or we can act. Today act for the one. #BeTheEdge
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:11 NIV
