"Truly
I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who
are members of my family, you did it to me."
—
Matthew 25:40
Dear
Friend,
One of the clearest teachings in Scripture is the charge that
we are responsible for our sisters and brothers. The expectation
is that all that we have and all that we are is God’s.
It is not for our pleasure and prosperity, but is to be shared.
It’s not even debated; it’s accepted as fact.
I
know it’s popular in today’s world to argue that God
rewards the righteous with worldly prosperity; that, if we are
faithful, we deserve all that stuff with which we so willingly
surround ourselves. I have yet to find that in Scripture, but
I hear it echoed from the mouths of many who purport to preach
the Gospel!
We
live in a world community, where the disparity between rich and
poor is almost obscene (and where we, in this country, are mostly
“the rich”). We claim a Christian heritage as a nation
and see ourselves, often, as “The Promised Land”,
and believe we are to bring the Gospel to all the world.
I
believe the challenge we face is: How do we teach the abundance
of God’s blessings, unless we freely share our gifts with
others? If we are to be “a covenant
to the people, a light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6),
we are to show the world a different
way of living than one which teaches (as the bumper sticker says),
“He who dies with the most toys wins.”
I
know there are few – if any – of us who are ready
to sell all that we have and give it to the poor (I’m as
addicted to my “stuff” as anyone). But there are places
we can begin.
The
Fort Street Church has been committed to ministry to our urban
neighbors – including the homeless, poor, or just struggling
– for over four decades. We feed and clothe thousands every
year. But, not everyone can make the trip or take the time to
be part of the Open Door (you may read more about that ministry
elsewhere on this Web site).
However,
each of us can
find something to do in our own neighborhoods: food banks, clothing
cupboards, tutoring programs for children, friendship and help
for a lonely neighbor down the street, comfort for a co-worker
in personal crisis, assistance in the lunchroom, support for a
stranger in a nursing home – the list could go on indefinitely.
Where is your ministry? Where is that place in your life where
you can feel the power of God's love flowing through you to those
around you? We welcome you to join with us in Christian worship
and service to others.
Cordially,
Phil
Olson
Philip
C. Olson, D.Min.
Interim Pastor |
