The Least of These

We have been given a divine mandate to care for orphans in their distress.  It is not the responsibility of humanitarian agencies, governments, or institutions, but Christ’s Church, as a whole and as individuals.  It is not something for someone else to do; it is a task WE must do.

There are:

• over 2 billion Christians worldwide
• over 158 million orphans worldwide
• and 5,760 children who become orphans every day

As you can see from the statistics, there are a higher number of Christians than orphans.  So then, why do we still have so many orphans around the world?  Why aren't Christians fulfilling their mandate?  Why is the secular world doing more for the betterment of these poor souls?  Where is the Church?  Why are so many silent?

In Matthew 25, Jesus spoke of the final judgment and the separation of the sheep from the goats, and He said concerning those on His right who were to inherit the Kingdom:​

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.  … Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the LEAST OF THESE my brothers, you did it to ME."

On the other hand, those on His left who were to be cast into everlasting punishment He said:

"For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,  I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me."

There is no middle ground!  We either serve Christ by giving aid in His name or we don’t and are judged for it.  Let us be among the former group who are commended for their compassionate hearts for

“Whoever gives one of these LITTLE ONES even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple,
truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”    
~Matthew 10:42

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives ME.”  
~Matthew 18:5​​

​David Platt has an excellent quote which states:

You may not know the name of every child, but you do know the name of Jesus Christ.  He is on the face of every single, defenseless orphan and He is their Defender and Advocate.  So you have no excuse, for now you’ve seen their faces, you know their name, and you’ve held them in your heart because they are all Jesus.  You are no longer unaware.  Every child you receive is Christ, and every one you reject is also Christ.

So the question is...what are YOU going to do now that you know?