“If you see a need, fill a need.” This statement has a lot of truth and I think it deserves some much-needed attention. It’s not just a catchy quote from a cute movie. Nothing that has ever been said in truth has not already been said by the One who created all creation. Of course, we will never find these exact Persian words in the Bible, but we will find some scripture that advises us to do this and why. Lately it seems that many young people are just out in the world, doing their thing and not paying attention to the consequences that they will one day create. I cannot blame this younger generation for doing what makes them feel good if they have never been taught the true word of God. This is a theme that is coming true through the generations. As the Word of God gradually diminishes in our lives, as a whole we begin to gravitate towards the law of the land and not towards that of a Supreme God. As a result, we have created a new generation of people who are inconsiderate, selfish, lazy, moody, and with bad attitudes. In each generation where the instructions of life are not taught and learned, it gets worse and worse as these children have children. Marriage is no longer even a prerequisite. Now, I’m not saying that all young people in America will conform to this law. Praise God, there are those who have studied the Word of God and are living a life that pleases him. However, the problem is that they seem to be in the minority.
An example of this kind of new “what about me” attitude comes to mind. I know a young man who was unfortunately never raised in a godly home. He was more or less left to his own devices. He never finished high school and jumps from job to job and woman to woman. His idea of being a real man is to drink and be a great shot. This has gotten him into trouble on more than one occasion. Not only that, this kind of lazy attitude has produced two innocent victims out of wedlock with two different women and now possibly a third with another woman. These kids can’t seem to see the big picture. Instead of settling down with a woman and taking on the responsibility of being a father, they soon get bored and move on, paying child support as they go. This is not what God had wanted. It is also wreaking havoc on taxpayers. Since God created man in his own image, and God is the epitome of love, correction, meekness, patience, provision, etc. it just shows that someone else has taken on this role. Only a vile and corrupt creature would teach selfishness, greed, sexual lust, wealth, power, pride, and unhappiness. His name is Satan. He is eagerly teaching people how to be his own gods and lead all of God’s creation into the pit of destruction one day. Unless our youth can hear the Word of God, this need for the truth will not be met. As the saying goes, “you can’t give what you don’t have”. As servants of the highest King, we are expected to see needs and meet them. His Word gives us the things we need to give away. This was God’s plan. In fact, the more we give, the more we will receive! What kind of needs can someone like you satisfy? He may be saying that he has no money, no special talents, simply that he has nothing to offer. Stop there! Everyone has something to give and it doesn’t have to be material.
The only thing we are commanded to give is… LOVE! This type of love is better known as brotherly love. It’s putting someone else’s needs before your own. This may seem impossible to conceive of to some, but the consequences will produce lifelong rewards. This is God’s plan for success. Let’s take a closer look at some examples.
“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8
Paul is telling us that we are expected to love all people, Christians and non-Christians alike. We do this by being honest in paying our debts. Don’t let someone else keep your bill. He is responsible and accountable.
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Hate what is bad, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor”; Romans 12:9-10
This scripture talks about the complete well-being of another and to satisfy or fill their need. It is only good when done sincerely. Devotion is purely from the heart. This is the part that God sees. Now you might be thinking about how this would benefit you. Jesus is always the One who guides us into all truth. His Truth will free us from the slavery of selfishness, greed, self-sufficiency, pride, or whatever holds you back. In other words, sin!
In the book of Matthew, Jesus is speaking to his disciples about the judgment of the Gentiles. God’s Word explains what true salvation is and how to obtain it. It is to receive Christ in your heart and make him the Lord and Savior of your life. This confession from your lips will erase all sin. The day that Christ returns to reign on earth he will separate the believers from the unbelievers.
“But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne; all nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and he will put the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.” Matthew 25:31-33
Immediately a believer, a sheep is considered favored, and the unbeliever is consigned to a place of dishonor at His left. He these will reject them. Well, you may be thinking that’s not very nice, but let’s listen to Christ’s reasoning.
Then the King will say to those on his right: Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Because I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; he was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in jail, and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him: “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?” Matthew 25:34-39
These righteous works are the fruits of salvation, not good works. These good works alone will not get anyone to heaven. These were works manifested by the grace of God in their lives. This “brotherly love” is the main objective of the trial. Seeing a need and meeting that need is evidence of saving faith. Jesus told them that everything they did for one of these little ones, they also did to Him.
To the unsaved, he will present all the same questions, but will ask why they didn’t give him anything. They will respond in the same way as believers with a slight difference: “When didn’t we do all those things?” And he will answer them too;
“Truly I tell you, insofar as you did not do it to one of these little ones, you did not do it to Me.” Matthew 25:45
This is the reason why we must be merciful in supplying the needs of others for the glory of God.
“These will go to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 24:46
All the decisions we make today will determine tomorrow. Which will you choose?
All scriptures taken from the New American Standard Bible
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