BIBLE READING: Leviticus 8, 9, 10; Mathew 25:29-51.
“And the king shall answer and say unto them, verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” – Mathew 25:40 (KJV).
Jesus instructs and demands that we care for others and bear one another’s burden. It is one of our duties as Christians to care for the needy and to show concern for the sufferings and problems of our neighbors. Our neighbors include everyone within our reach. God holds us accountable for the needs around us. Paying deaf ear to the cry for help around us or closing our eyes to needs around us does not portray good Christian life.
The above scripture reveal possible ways we can care for others. Needs come in different shades such as clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, caring for orphans, visiting those in prison or those displaced from their home by wars, communal crisis, terrorism or all forms of insurgences. Jesus states that when we do this and meet the needs of the suffering people around us that we are ministering to him. This shows that there are so many opportunities for ministry all around us. People overlook these opportunities and struggle for pulpit ministry, because most people do not understand that ministry is not only done with microphones and on the pulpits.
There are several opportunities for ministry outside the pulpit and outside the four walls of the church. This scripture serves as an eye opener for all those seeking opportunities for kingdom service; it shows opportunities in our neighborhood, in our work places and on the streets.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to understand ministry opportunities around me.
Rev. Vincent Diolu