No papers please – a Food Ministry Christmas

They came from all over North Alabama and southern Tennessee, black, brown, white and all shades in between. They were the volunteers on Thursday, December 22.

They came from all over North Alabama and southern Tennessee, black brown, white and all shades in between. They were the hungry, those who needed clothes or toys for their kids for Christmas.

It started off as a food ministry, but now it also fills other needs as well. English was the main language, but Spanish was often heard as well.

On the food line we were given strict instructions; two cans of green beans, two cans of carrots, two of pears, a bag of frozen sweet potato fries and two pounds of rice for each person. No more. Unless someone asked. Our customers in turn would not only tell us if they needed more, but when they had enough at home. “No rice today, I have enough and I don’t want to take it when someone else needs it more”.

The toy line was long. Each person got a ticket for two toys. The supply was limited, but no one complained.  Shoppers were let in 15 at a time because the space was small and the demand was large. Hundreds were served by the end of the evening.

The toys were donated, as was much of the food. All of the help was by volunteers; an odd mix of individuals, a middle school basketball team, an alumni group from a fraternity and many different church and civic groups.

You heard Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, and God Bless you often. But what you never heard in this ministry the week before Christmas was, “your papers please”. This ministry answers to a higher law.

Jesus is Born – So What?

Christmas is here and Christians around the world are celebrating Jesus’ birthday. So What? You say you’re a Christian? Jesus is born! So what are you going to do about it?

If you respond and say you show your love of God by going to church, my response is again – so what? To quote the bumper sticker, “Going to Church no more makes you a Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car”. You say you give to your church. That’s nice but if it is all you are doing it is not enough.

First, let’s start with your church. Is it inviting to all? Do you welcome the rich and the poor equally? James 2:1-4 teaches us that if we show favoritism, we are committing a sin. James continues in 2:5-7 “⁵ Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? ⁶ But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?” James’ work was deemed important enough to include in the Bible. Now we would dismiss him as being a radical in the Occupy Movement. What does that say about us? Why is pointing out social injustice threatening to many US Christians?

The prophet Isaiah had this to say about good, church-going folk who make offerings and pray, but stop there. “¹⁵ When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening” Isaiah 1:15. Isaiah explains why God does not listen to their prayers in verses 16-17: ¹⁶ Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. ¹⁷ Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow”. Yes Isaiah knew that God would not hear their prayers if they did not practice justice.

Isaiah’s time was much like our own. Here is what he had to say about the leaders of his time in 1:23 “Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts”. It sounds like money has always corrupted politics and power too often attracts scoundrels.

Do you think that perhaps Isaiah is an anomaly in the Bible? Listen to the words of Amos: “⁷ There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.  ¹² For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts. ²¹ “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. ²² Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. ²³ Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ²⁴ But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Amos 5:7, 12, 21-24.

But let’s assume that your church is inviting to all and is interested in social justice. It’s time to get more personal.

James continues in chapter 2 “¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James is clear – faith requires action. To those who are wondering where Grace fits in here, yes, you are saved by Grace, but if you are saved, won’t there be evidence? If your heart is changed to love God, that love will leave tracks for all to see. 

James gives us a hint on one of the things we are to do: feed the hungry. But why don’t we hear from Jesus himself on what we are to do: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ 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, ³⁶ 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.’
   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
   ⁴⁰ “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” Matthew 25:34-40.  Jesus goes on to promise condemnation to those who do not heed this call. 

To be a Christian is a call to action, a call to loving others with more than good intentions and good feelings. A call to feed, clothe and provide medical care to those in need. A call to question the world as it is and to demand, not middle class comfort, but justice. A call in all ways to love one another as you love yourself. 

So there you have it. Jesus is Born! So what? So get moving. 

Coming at the New Year: Part 2 – Jesus gives the leper a Band-Aid, or does government fit into this call to action?