Daily Devotionals

November 21st, 2022

Read: Matthew 25:34-40 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 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, 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.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “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.’

We tell ourselves it is difficult to be generous or giving. It’s inconvenient, there’s just not enough time or money or energy in us. We say we’ll get to it, but not until “___” goal is reached, or “___” and “___” comes together (fill in the blanks). But are we really speaking the truth to ourselves? Or are we attempting to convince ourselves of something false because we’re missing the point?

In this passage of Matthew, Jesus clearly states we are blessed by God the Father, we have been given an inheritance and His kingdom has already been prepared for us – from the very beginning of creation! Mind blown! We do not need to fill in any “blanks” in our lives in order to serve the One who already has filled in every “blank” which truly needed filling. Because He is King, He has taken the prerogative to share with us the opportunity to see His love for the world. The world He gave His life for. When we allow the gifts we have received to take an active role for the benefit of anyone in need, we bring those gifts full circle. We do it for Him, in love. It’s not about how much we do or don’t have. It’s about how much we see Him in people who are hurting. The King is returning – let’s show the world how much we love Him by loving them today.

“It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” – Mother Teresa