Standing With God

1 Kings 17:1-24

Philippians 2:1-11

Verses from two of our readings today struck me as indicative of God’s concern for the poor. The first comes from 1 Kings where the prophet Elijah asks a widow in Zarephath to provide him with food and lodging, assuring her that the meager amount of grain and oil that she has will be enough. “She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah” (1 Kings 17:15-16). Elijah’s presence with the widow and her son assured their survival. But the story also draws to our attention the depth of suffering to be found in our world. How do those of us blessed with much respond to the modern day “widows of Zarephath?” How much do we do to keep the jars full so that the poor may survive?

In Philippians Paul points to the humility of Jesus. “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited” (Philippians 2:5-6). Indeed, Jesus was willing to live among people who were oppressed by Rome and by their own religious leaders, and ultimately to die for their sake and ours. How do those of us blessed with freedom and status respond to those in our world who have neither? How much do we do to aid those who are persecuted and oppressed in our own world?

My assumption is that none of us really do enough to aid others. But clearly God has a preference, and if we intend to stand with God we will take the needs of the world more seriously while letting our own needs become less of a distraction to us.

Prayer: Lord you have always cared for the least among us. Help us to do the same so that your will may be done at all times. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.