I'll be the first to admit that since I returned home I have been somewhat lackadaisical in my thought life regarding the poor. That was shattered in the last few days, since I was asked by a pastor here to speak at his Church on Father's Day. He asked me to share on missions and our last trip to Cambodia. Since then I have been focusing in on what I believe God would have me say, and 'the poor' overwhelmingly consume my thoughts.
I was on a website which listed many, many statistics stating how blessed we are here in the West and how steeped in poverty most of the world is and it has really re-opened my eyes, and I thank God I have been lead here. I find myself abhorring the materialism that creeps in ever so innocently living here in Canada. It's disgusting, and we find so many excuses to justify it. James (the half-brother of Jesus) wrote that "The treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment." (James5:3 NLT)
How much garbage have I accumulated (or even worse, outright wasted) instead of using my resources to help the needy. There are over 300 Scriptures relating to the poor. The Bible puts much emphasis on 'them', but we seem to put much emphasis on 'us'. I can hardly stand it anymore. Our selfishness is shocking.
We may not all be called to a life of foreign missions, but we are all called to lay our lives down for Him who laid His down for us (2Cor5:15). Jesus stated that many are called (or invited), but few are chosen (or selected). Those who are chosen are the ones who say "Yes". We all receive invites to many things (birthday parties, Facebook groups, eternal life, etc) but only the ones who value the invitation enough to respond will be chosen (or selected). The consequences of complacency are unbearable, but often go unnoticed as we fill our lives with things other than that which will bring glory to the Kingdom. Tis too much for me, "shall not the Lamb who was slain receive the full reward of His suffering?"
We are not free from sin to live as we wish, we are free from sin to follow Jesus. (Rom6:18)