As I read the two pages that I was assigned to blog on in this chapter, I counted six Scripture references that Chan had used. My first thought was, “How in the world am I going to write a summary on these Scriptures, and keep it to a minimum of words?”
- Philippians 2:6-11
- 1 John 2:6
- Matthew 25:42-45
- Matthew 22:37
- Matthew 22:39
- Matthew 25:37-40
Yes, Chan uses all of these Scriptures on these two short pages, and they cover our current life all the way up to the coming Judgment. Whew!! Tons could be written on each one of these, so “Which one am I going to expand on?” was my thought.
But, I began to see that what Chan was doing in these Scriptures was bringing us to the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:45: “I tell you the truth, whatever, you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Jesus is referring to “these” as those who are hungry, thirsty, in need of shelter and clothing, those who are sick, or in prison and need someone to visit them.
It was a sentence Chan wrote on page 119 that caught my eye. Ask yourself this: “If you actually saw Jesus starving, what would you do for Him?”
Truthfully, when I read that sentence, I didn’t literally think of food when I saw the word starve. Why? Because in America, chances are we might not encounter starving hungry people on a day-to-day basis, as we would in other countries.
However, after looking up the definition of the word “starve” in Webster’s Dictionary, I believe we do encounter a type of “these” that Jesus IS referring to in our everyday life.
Starve: to hunger; to suffer great need
To suffer great need is the one I want to emphasize. Take a look at this chart that I began to picture in my mind concerning that word starve as it pertained to suffering great need.
Mankind’s Basic Outward Needs Mankind’s Basic Inward Needs
Food Companionship
Water Love and Affection
Shelter A Sense of Belonging
Clothing Esteem, Respect of Others A Listening Ear
Back to Chan’s question: 
Personally, I pray I have enough plain old moral values in me to give a starving person his four Basic Outward Needs of food, water, shelter, and clothing.
But, do I have enough love for Jesus in me that would propel me to give a starving person his Basic Inward Needs? Or would that take up too much of my time and effort?
It’s food for thought.
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Let’s Pray:
Father God, first of all, we open our hearts to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to show us where we are not being Your servant to those in need. Help us to make changes in our lives as You would have us to. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Your Assignment:
Where do you feel you need to make changes in your life in accordance with feeding those who are hungry, thirsty, in need of shelter and clothing, those who are sick, or in prison and need someone to visit them.
Be blessed,
Martha
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About Martha Bush
It’s not too hard to help needy people with their outward needs, we are constantly being asked to give to legitimate charitable organizations. But to take the time to really look at a person to see the pain in their eyes, the slump in their shoulders, their slow walk that would indicate an inward need, now that is harder. It’s harder because it takes our time as you mentioned, Martha. Then when we do see it, it takes effort on our part. I always have a long to-do list. I must remind myself daily that helping someone meet their inward needs has much more eternal value than checking off my to-do list.
I so agree, Clella. Perhaps that was why God was leading me to separate the two – -outward and inward needs. I know He was speaking to me about those inward needs. They do take more time and energy.
I agree with Clella it’s easy to see those needs on the outside but inside needs are not as easy. I think I need to become more “soul observant” so I can see those needs that are hidden to the eye. I am going to pray for that! Thanks Martha!!
I am praying for myself, too, Donna, that I would be more affectionate to someone I know who is really in need of it.
When I read this I can’t help but think about people in my life who I know are starved on the inside. It is a lot of work to walk alongside them. Also, it is hard to decipher what role God has planned for me in their lives sometimes.
Megan, I tend to believe we see more people started on the inside than hunger, etc. I agree it does take work to walk alongside of them, and it can pull you down also if you aren’t carefull. I know you are a blessing to those in your life.