“Often there are things on the horizon that point logically to a transformation of society, especially for the underprivileged, but he cannot co-operate with them because he is spiritually and intellectually confused. He mistakes fear for caution and caution for fear. Now, if his mind is free and his spirit unchained, he can work intelligently and courageously for a new day.” (Howard Thurman, “Jesus and the Disinherited”)

“This impulse at the heart of Christianity is the human will to share with others what one has found meaningful to oneself elevated to the height of a moral imperative.” (Howard Thurman, “Jesus and the Disinherited”)

“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.” (Matthew 25:31ff)

I find this statement by Howard Thurman to be powerfully indicting to someone like me who has always worried about having enough in my life. With all the times I have worried about such things, I have never had to go without — I have never been in a situation where I would have been in any manner shape or form called “wanting”.

However, I have found myself in many situations looking for unusual and, many have said “irresponsible” ways to share out of my abundance. And yet, I feel that this has not been enough when I read the statement “…share with others what one has found meaningful to oneself elevated to the height of a moral imperative.”

It is a moral imperative for all Christians to give to G-d what belongs to G-d – and the way we can do this every day is to share with others the things we have found most meaningful to us. We must work hard freeing our mind and our spirit from the things that bind us to this earth – things like stuff, and money, and other possessions. The more we work for the betterment of our fellow humans, the more we understand Matthew 25:31ff.

Pastor Dave