(Jesus said) "Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before
you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that
they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received
their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand
know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in
secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew
6:2-4
"You could have heard a pin drop."
That's how City
Counselor Andre Rivette described the situation when he addressed the
council concerning the men on the police force in Cornwall, Ontario. No
doubt the community representatives were afraid their department was
going to receive some of the bad press which, often undeservedly, has
swirled around various law officers and their departments, in recent
months.
What the council heard was this: some of the local
officers had answered a domestic call, one of the most unpredictable
events in an officer's life. When they arrived, they found an elderly
couple involved in an intense argument. It took some time, but
eventually they found out the wife has dementia and was arguing with her
husband of 54 years.
On the other hand, the husband who was
deeply concerned about his bride also confessed that times were tough,
and he had recently been forced to pawn his wedding ring to keep food on
the table. With peace having been restored, at least temporarily, the
officers left.
It should have been the end of the story, but it
wasn't. Down at the station the officers took up a collection. They
raised $150 for groceries and another $130 to get the man's ring out of
the pawn shop.
Now you and I know in the scheme of things $280 is
not a lot of money, it's not a big deal.
On the other hand, when
nameless officers go out of their way to help an unnamed elderly couple,
it becomes a very big deal indeed. These officers didn't offer their
gift because TV cameras were rolling or because they knew they were
being evaluated. They did their act of charity in secret because it was
the right thing to do. Jesus, who sacrificed Himself so that all who
believe on Him might be forgiven and saved, says much the same thing in
our text above.
Over the years I have been a "mouse in the
corner" and seen fellow Christians do the same kind of thing for others.
I would love to tell their stories, but I never will. The givers did
what they did because they saw a need and they wished to honor the
Savior by helping answer that need. Oh, every one of them also said, and
believed, "It was no big deal."
Don't you believe it; it was a
very big deal, indeed.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, our Savior gave
Himself for my eternal salvation. It was an act of charity that was
unprecedented in scope and reach. May I, when given the opportunity,
honor my Redeemer and answer the needs of my fellow man. This I ask in
the Savior's Name. Amen.
Pastor Ken Klaus
Lutheran Hour Ministries All rights reserved;
not to be duplicated without permission.
