I saw Jesus on the street corner today, He was open air preaching. I find it annoying that He makes me feel guilty if I don't help out in some way. I'm not a fanatic.
I saw Jesus asking for money for a missions trip to a foreign land, and I wonder why He has to get help with His projects if He can't afford to to do them. I'd like to go to church and not be bothered with His trifles.
Jesus asked me whether I would buy bracelets from new believers over in Africa who have been rescued from human trafficking, and I truly balked. It's too much money, I have too much stuff, and I'd rather they hocked their wares to people with more money.
Jesus asked if I'd help Him with the homeless ministry He's running, and that is really too much. I do not want to spend time with the dirty, bedraggled shiftless population who sits around and who will not find jobs. If Jesus wants to go help out, that's fine. He doesn't have to drag me along with Him.
Jesus asked for help with His missionary bake sales. Why don't the missionaries help people here in the U.S. instead of asking for money to go overseas? I have enough problems of my own.
The singers who came to church asked for money, and Jesus was in the band. He was playing bass, and though I liked it, I told Him He really should do it for free, you know, as a ministry. I know He practices and needs to put food on the table, but it's just too much. He should provide for Himself.
Jesus is always trying to buy gospel tracts and wants my money. He has sometimes gone hungry because He's so zealous that others get saved, but there is the need for balance. If you want to go out preaching, you should pay for it yourself. That goes for preachers too. I don't need to support those who won't work. After all, Paul had a job.
Jesus asked for my help in taking care of the refugees and I told Him He was out of His mind. What if Jesus brings a disease or helps bring terrorism into the country? I can't believe Jesus would be so irresponsible.
You know what really bugs me is tithing. Jesus asks me to tithe, and I tell Him that He doesn't understand how the world works these days. Besides, this is so Old Testament. I know there are expenses like electricity and taxes and all, but I'm barely scraping by. That's why only 5% of American even bother tithing.
Jesus told me that a great deal of His missions trips are underfunded and that He spends more time than He would like to raising funds for evangelism. He told me that He works to stretch every dollar and contributes from His own earnings and that He often goes without things you or I would take for granted.
He says that He often does His work alone without help. He feels lonely and sometimes takes verbal abuse from the world that you and I never hear about.
He said that if every Christian tithed, He would have an additional $165 billion for ministry and that taking $12 billion, He could take care of illiteracy in five years, with $15 billion, He could solve world sanitation and water problems, and could fully fund missionary work overseas in its entirely for $1 billion.
$100-$110 billion would be left for other endeavors. Jesus said that could be used to help fight against abortion and could also really help the homeless.
He says that He often sends His disciples out without provisions and that we are to see to their needs. He said that if we give a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple that we will not lose our reward. He said they often come to us hungry and naked and need our help.
Jesus also said that when He sits alone in church that He would love it if someone took the time to sit next to Him. He mentioned that it gets lonely all the time in the nursing home, too.
He said that being a single parent is so difficult and that He rarely gets any phone calls from anyone asking how He is doing. He said sometimes He just needs a break. Jesus is hurting from His divorce and often feels like His life is just falling apart. Jesus never thought He'd be cleaning floors just to make ends meet.
When Jesus got beaten up for sharing His faith, I was kind of embarrassed for Him. He sometimes needs to just lighten up. His lip was bruised and bleeding, and I really felt bad for Him, but I was too scared to help out. Maybe He should put in some effort to try to fit in better.
I saw Jesus sleeping on a park bench today. He lost His job recently. We briefly made eye contact, but I quickly walked away. I have the room in my house to let Him stay, but it would be so awkward. He was going to our church, and we've talked before, but I wouldn't know what to say to Him now. I hope He understands.
“Then the King will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“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, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
And everyday Jesus holds out His hand and gives us opportunities to see what we will do for Him.
Stay Gutsy,
Rosa
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