Am I my Brother's Children's Keeper?

Zion Youth Choir sing at concert to help children
in Baraga County.

"Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks for a fish, will give a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him! “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets." Matt 7:9-12 NRSV

"Am I my brother's keeper." (Gen 4:9) This was Cain's response when God asked him where his brother was after he had killed Abel. Are you your brother's keeper? Are you your brother's children's keeper? I hope that you are answering in the affirmative.

I have been working on the advertising for Zion's Annual Toys for Tots Concert. The concert kicks off the local Marine campaign for Toys for Tots in Baraga County. We have a very high unemployment rate and the medium income is very low in the county. There is a great need to help our brother and sister's children during the holiday season as well as all year long.

Where ever you are; whether in Baraga County, remember the children in need. Yes, you are your brother's keeper. If you, yourself, are a child of God you would respond in the affirmative when it comes to helping the youngest among us. 

God's Peace - Pr. J 

P.S. Hope to see all of you who are local at the concert!

Obadiah 1 - What Is Done To Others; Will Be Done To You

We won't be lingering many days studying Obadiah. It is the shortest book of the Old Testament with only one chapter containing twenty-one verses.

It is a prophecy concerning the fall of Edom (Esau) for not having his brother Israel's (Jacob) back when they were under siege. It was not that they, themselves, attacked. But, they stood by and did nothing as their brothers were taken into captivity.

"On the day you stood aloof
    while strangers carried off his wealth
and foreigners entered his gates
    and cast lots for Jerusalem,
    you were like one of them." (Obadiah 11 NIV)

Our sins encompass more than what we have done; but, what we have left undone, as well. How much of what we have done and left undone have led to our brothers' harm? And.. if you care not for your brother than consider Obadiah's prophecy:

“The day of the Lord is near
    for all nations.
As you have done, it will be done to you;
    your deeds will return upon your own head." (Obadiah 15)

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)

God's Peace - Pr. J

P.S. BTW - today is the National Day of Thanksgiving in the U.S.. Do you have a neighbor who is alone, today? A family that cannot afford dinner? What will we do for them so that they are not so all alone? What will we leave undone? 
 

Ruth 2 - Do Unto Others

At our Bible study yesterday, we discussed Matthew 7. "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get." (7:1-2 NRSV) and the Golden Rule... "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. (7:12) Often, we like to look at these verses separately. But, since they are both in this same chapter, maybe we should look at them together. When my children were young, I often taught them these verses as one lesson. (I hope they remember this lesson) Do to others what you would have others do unto you, because what you do to others will be done to you. Or... what you give, is what you get... what goes around, comes around...

In our reading from Ruth, we see this principal at work. Ruth has chosen to care for and provide for her mother-in-law, Naomi. She didn't have to. She could have went home to her family when her husband died so that the men of her own family would provide for her. She couldn't have taken the easy road - the wide road. But, she didn't. Instead, she is out picking up the left-overs in the field so that she and Naomi can eat. Boaz looks kindly upon her and chooses to ensure that they are both cared for and fed. She is treated as graciously by Boaz as she treats Naomi.

How often do we wonder why bad things seem to always happen to us, why we seem to be in a state of crisis so often without considering that just maybe we are receiving exactly what we would and have given to others.

May God grant that each of us would be more generous to one another that we might all live in peace...