HUNGER PAINS

And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these brothers, you did it to me.”

             ~Matthew 25:40 ESV

My wife and I were doing some errands around town when our noisy stomachs reminded us it was lunchtime. I prayed our food choices would not cause heartburn. Little did we know God would teach us about feeding noisy stomachs. 

HEARTBURN

We stopped at a famous restaurant known for its chicken sandwiches. As we headed to the front door, I noticed a man in the parking lot, asking for money. I rolled my eyes as we entered the restaurant, hoping the man would leave. He didn’t, but followed us inside. To me, he appeared homeless and was a nuisance, but in God’s eyes, he was a soul in need.

He politely asked if we had a dollar to help him buy a chicken sandwich. I glanced into the gentleman’s eyes and felt my heart burning. No medication would cure this heartburn. God moved on me with His Holy Spirit. I told the man to put away his change. My wife and I would buy his lunch.

He sat near us, ate, and told us his story. We listened to the details and realized what he had experienced could happen to anyone. Kym and I prayed for him, and, as he left the building, he told us we were the nicest people he had met. God used this man to remind us how blessed we are.

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

~James 2:15-17 ESV

THE QUESTION

Those needing help stand at traffic corners and in parking lots or walk along roads. Maybe bad decisions have led them to homelessness. Perhaps circumstances were beyond their control. The world sees them as second-rate citizens, but God sees them as lost sheep. They need daily bread to help them sustain themselves. But more than food, they need someone to care with actions.

As followers of Christ, we are ambassadors. We should proclaim the gospel by showing the love of Christ. Proverbs 19:17 states, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.”

Every day, God puts needy people in our path. We must decide what we will do. We can roll our eyes and hope they go away, or we can step out in faith when the heartburn starts.

How do you help those who are less fortunate than you?

Heavenly Father, I ask you to let me see what You see and feel what You feel. May I become more in tune with the Holy Spirit as I go into the world. Prompt me to feed the hungry and show them the unconditional love of Christ. Amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2022: Noisy Stomachs and Heartburn: Ed Chappelle: All Rights Reserved