For the last few days, we have looked at reasons why some might fail to act on their divine burdens, such as laziness and pride. Today, we are going to look at one final reason why some might ignore the divine burdens God has placed on their hearts: they see the needs around them as someone else's problem to solve. They fail to recognize that God has gifted them with the skills and abilities to address the burdens God has given them and the needs they see around them. In reality, every need we see around us is an opportunity to step in and do what we can to help.
Jesus explained our responsibility to address the divine burdens and the needs around us that God places on our hearts in Matthew 25. In this chapter, Jesus taught about the final judgment, when He will bring all of His followers to Himself. He explained that He will say to His followers, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me." (verses 34-36). Then, Jesus explained that His followers will ask, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink. Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?" (verses 37-39). Then, Jesus will reply, “When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it unto me!” (verse 40). It is clear that Jesus takes the needs and struggles around us so seriously that when we, His followers, meet them and help those around us, it is as if we are doing it for Him. There is no burden too small or insignificant to God. He cares for every person in this world, and He is moved when He sees His people meeting their needs. Each one of us has an integral part in meeting the needs we see around us.
It is clear from Jesus’ teaching in this passage of Scripture that we each have a responsibility to act on the burdens and needs we see around us, using whatever skills, gifts, and abilities we have to help meet those needs. We must step up and take personal responsibility to do something when we see hardships and needs. They are not someone else’s responsibility; they are all our responsibility. Even more, Christ is honored when we step up and meet these needs.
As you go throughout your day, keep the Scripture you studied today in mind. Remember that you have a role to play when you see needs. Your responsibility is to step up and take action to address them. After all, as Jesus said, "When you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!"
Prayer Prompt: Use this prompt to guide you as you pray.
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.[d] 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’
46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
