The Least of These

This is easy enough. Thinking of our safety, while walking the streets or something as innocent as maneuvering the parking lot of a mall or convenience store, we attempt to navigate around the bums, the hobos, homeless, wine-os, minorities or anyone else that fails to look like us.
Matthew 25:40
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
Of course, we exclude from the brethren, the dirty, the mangy, those who beg where we think they will use the money for drugs or alcohol. We rationalize that those around us are in their predicament because of their own sins and ails.
This includes the felons, the murderers, Sex offenders, Sex Predators, the arsonist, extortionist, burglar, common thief and a host of others. In some way, we don’t feel they are quite ‘good’ enough for our assistance.
Jesus had a reply to this:
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
These so-called scumbags are even possible angels. These dead-beats are always at least potential adoptees into God’s Kingdom. Many are even Christians already.
Sure, it is all the more likely that one of these beggers simply would like to have nothing more than a cold beer when they are actually in need of food. There is a good case to make that they would simply waste whatever it is that you give them.
Just as likely, or even more than likely, when you tell them you have nothing to give them, you sin by lying. You may have nothing more than some loose change, but you cling on to it, feeling you worked hard for your money and they should the same.
In short, we are all sinners. We have all fallen short of the Glory of God and should treat all people the same, with dignity and respect. Naturally, this is all but easy to do, but a goal in which we should strive.
So, the next time you see someone down and out, give them what you feel your heart will allow you. The person you give it to is none other than Christ himself.

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