TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2017.
CARING
DEFINITION:
Feeling concern or worry about a person, a cause or a situation.
No one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. Psalm 142:4
Casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7
So, that there would be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. I Corinthians 12:25.
Today in America we celebrate Valentine’s day. It is a day on which tokens of affection are given to show love. On Valentine’s day, it is the custom to bestow a special token to show love to those that are nearest and dearest to us, such as a spouse or family member.
Jesus has commanded us to love each other (John 15:17) and to take care of His sheep (John 21:16). For those who believe in Jesus, the Lord wants us to show love every day. We show love by caring for others.
We are living in a day when there is a lot of talk about caring for those in need but not many do much about it. It is hard to understand but we hear of many situations where family members show no care for those in their family. This is because many today are living in a “ME” generation and they only care about themselves.
The word caring is often overused or oversold and certainly under appreciated. In other words many will say they care but it is used as a nice response and relieves their conscience. For many people just sharing with someone the thought that they care for them is an easy way out of having to really care and do something for that person. For others, they never show any caring attitude to a person in need because they feel it is the government that should be caring for them with handouts such as food stamps and welfare programs.
We are sure that all will agree that for those that are physically unable to work or care for themselves, government programs are certainly needed and acceptable.
But what does it really mean to care? Is it words only or does it include action?
When a person really cares, their spoken word must be coupled with action. When you tell someone you care for them you need to respond by doing something for them that lets them know you do care. Most people do not think this way today.
There are many people that are lonely and hurting. They are longing for someone to care for them. When someone is going through hard times they feel all alone and that no one cares and perhaps feel that God does not care. They long for someone to show them that they care. They feel as David expressed in the verse we put above that “no one cares for my life (Psalm 142:4).
In the parable found in Matthew 25:35-45 Jesus describes acts of caring that we are all capable to do. There are simple things that do not require great wealth, education or talent.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me.”
What Jesus was teaching was that we need to get personally involved as if we were doing it for Him. In verse 40 Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers, you did for Me.”
The simple acts of caring we do for others are evidence of our faith and the fruit of our salvation in Jesus Christ. Caring for others brings glory to God and to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because it reflects God’s perfect love.
We all know the story of the Good Samaritan in the scriptures. The point of the parable is that it was just one individual who was moved and acted alone above and beyond the normal character and usual practices of society.
Jesus Himself healed and empowered His followers of the day to heal. We need to be reminded that He never empowered the government of His day to heal. In fact it was “render unto Caesar” not demand from Caesar. We are not to find excuses for neglecting the needy such as saying, “that is the government’s responsibility.”
Throughout history it has been individuals, families and ministries that delivered charity to the hurting. Look at how government and our leaders down through the centuries have failed to care for the poor. Institutions say they care and then they crumble. Leaders often only care when they see it as a means for personal gain. Politicians say they care but it is only words as they do nothing. Even charities say they care but often their resources are misused because of corrupt leadership.
Jesus has called us to follow His example and care for others like He did. Jesus is always standing at your hearts door knocking and waiting to be invited in to meet your every need. Jesus cares for us because He loves us and has compassion for us.
When Jesus cares for us, something happens. He offers provision and peace that passes all understanding. So, we must understand that people, organizations, government, all without a Godly component can only meet some of your needs. Only God can meet all of our needs. “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19”.
Our memory verse for this week is found in Genesis 1:1.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Help me to cast all of my cares upon You because You have promised to care for me. Help me to follow Your example and care for others not just with words but with actions.
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