Several times a month, our church feeds close to 200 families with enough groceries for several days. We have been doing it for over four years, but when COVID hit, the need went through the roof. We started handing out food every Tuesday and on the last Friday of the month. We typically get a line of cars 40-50 lined up down the street. Our incredible team of servants can get them all taken care of in a matter of hours, but it’s about more than the food. It’s about our people being the Salt and Light of Jesus.
Mark 14:7
“For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me.”
Always Have the Poor
Sometimes we can be so servant-minded that we miss the presence of the one we truly serve, Jesus. It is essential to feed the hungry and serve the poor, but if we go to them without Jesus, it will just be charity. Jesus addresses this issue with the crowd that was criticizing the woman who anointed Jesus. They said that the oil should’ve been sold and given to the poor. Jesus replies that you will always have the poor, but I won’t always be with you.
Take Jesus with You
We mustn’t get so caught up in the cause that we forget to take Jesus with us. There are many good causes in the church today that don’t mention the name of Jesus once. They purposely don’t do it because they don’t want to scare people off. If the ministry isn’t about letting people know that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life and no one gets to heaven without Him, it’s not a good church ministry.
Be the Salt and Light of Jesus
Be the salt and light of Jesus. Go and minister to the needy, but don’t forget to tell them about Him. Be so filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit that people want what you have.