"He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker;
whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished."
Proverbs 17:5 NIV
Why is it that people compare themselves to others who don't have as much in possessions or who have experienced a hard time? Those with something look for someone with less, then ridicule them. Those whose lives are going relatively smoothly spot the ones dealing with hardships, then gloat over them.
Let it be known that God does not take this lightly. Shouldn't that make us think and act differently about those who are less fortunate?
Here's some perspective. "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" These are Jesus' words recorded in Matthew 25.
Jesus is talking about judgment at the end of time. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. The sheep are identified by their good deeds. Jesus needs no help identifying the sheep because he knows who has called upon his name and who has not. The sheep are not sheep because of their good works but because they have called upon the name of Jesus.
The separation of the sheep and goats is not based upon their works. But those who follow Christ will have good works of righteousness. Those who do not follow Christ will not. They may do some good things but their motive is not to help others in Jesus' name. In other words, our love for Jesus motivates us to love others in word and deed.
Let your life be marked with true words and deeds of righteousness. How? By going the way the Holy Spirit leads you. Try to see others through his eyes and touch them with his hands. Pray that God will help you seek him and follow him as you engage the people around you.
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