The Least of These--We note also the special attention given to caring for widows and orphans.

Strangers and Sojourners--"You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt."

Altogether Now--Help to the poor comes most profitably when it is in the form of a loan.

Caring for the Poor--Jesus reminded us that we would always have opportunities to care for the poor, and that we should be faithful in doing so (Mk. 14.7).

The eighth commandment

Deuteronomy 15.11

“‘For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”’”

Psalm 41.1; Galatians 2.10

Jesus reminded us that we would always have opportunities to care for the poor, and that we should be faithful in doing so (Mk. 14.7). The Law of God provides guidance in the exercise of mercy and grace. As God, Who is wholly good and just, reaches to us in mercy and grace, so His Law enables us to reflect His character in our relationships with our neighbors. Not to care for the poor, and even to be indifferent to their needs, is a form of stealing from them what God intends them to have.

Note also the exhortation to generosity in dealing with the poor: “open wide your hand.” We are hereby reminded, as in all the statutes for this commandment, that the earth is the Lord’s and we are but stewards of whatever He determines to entrust to us. As He is lavish in giving to us, so we must be lavish toward those who, for a variety of reasons, may have fallen on hard times.

Moreover, these acts of lavish mercy and grace are to be voluntary, not compelled by government. When governments try to become the conscience of their people by requiring what God commands should come from the heart, they create resentment, division, and waste in the use of God’s resources. Whatever does not flow from love for neighbor can only increase the distance between us and them, not bring us closer to one another.

This series of In the Gates we present a detailed explanation of the Law of God, beginning with the Ten Commandments, and working through the statutes and rules that accompany each commandment. For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the practice of ethics, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.ailbe.org and click on our Book Store.

His mission was to establish the banner of truth and advance the Kingdom of Christ.

Go ahead. Give them Jesus.

Can the Internet grant us immortality?

We must be watchful for one another.

Whatever it is we're doing in the name of reaching the lost isn't working.

Americans support a huge and cumbersome system of public schools.

Personal Mission Field/Transformation

Irish pastors were a powerful force for social and cultural change.

Personal Mission Field/Demonstration

Witnessing is first of all a way of being in the world.

It was sweet, it was unique, his skill at priestly matters. To people, inscrutable: he was a shelter to the naked, he was a teat to the poor.

  - Dallan Forgaill, Amra Choluimb Chille (Irish, 6th century)

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

  - Acts 1.8

Jesus has given us His Spirit in order to make us His witnesses. This is first of all a way of being in the world, and only secondly a way of speaking. Yes, we must always be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is within us. But Peter assumes (1 Pet. 3.15) that those asking will have seen something in us that evidences the hope of glory we have in Jesus Christ.

We live our witness for Jesus when we live like Jesus - selfless, serving others, bringing the good works of God's Law into every situation, showing the love of God in personal, human ways. Jesus said that the Spirit would help us to be witnesses so that, when the opportunity arose to speak our witness, it would come out of a credible way of life.

Columba (Colum Cille) was remembered as a generous and loving priest. There was always room for guests, strangers, and the needy in his monastery on Iona, and he treated each of the monks in his charge with the greatest respect and love. He was beloved not only as a giant of the Word and a bold missionary for Christ, but as one who "walked the talk."

Here's a challenge for each of us, one to be renewed every day: Do we live in such a way as to bring the presence of Jesus into every relationship, role, responsibility, and situation of our lives? Do others feel the presence of Christ through us? Are we daily demonstrating the reality of our claim to have been born again into the Kingdom of God?

Here there is a need for careful circumspection (Eph. 5.15-17). Pay attention to every opportunity to demonstrate the love of Jesus. If we'll work hard at being witnesses, when the opportunities arise to speak for Jesus, it will be easier for others to hear what we have to say.

Today at The Fellowship of Ailbe

The tragic events of last Saturday in Tucson should be a summons to all Christians to seek the Lord for revival. Don't miss today's Revision.

Our course, "The Writing Pastor," begins next Monday. Register today. Or sign up for one of our mentoring opportunities. Check out the website's many offerings.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.