This is the putrid attitude in the church the world hates …

Even those who aggressively and energetically reject God know that when someone who has fallen on hard times is hungry, we should feed them. That’s basic human caring, it’s a simple yet profound expression of love. It is simple kindness.

But today I had yet another conversation with a church leader who didn’t grasp this most basic concept. Instead, he spoke of “not casting your pearls before swine” (his exact words), and fumbled at excuses for judging people prior to extending any help to them. He even spoke of Jesus not helping everyone who came to Him.

All this around a simple conversation of helping someone who was homeless.

This is the putrid attitude in the church the world hates. Even the godless world understands when the needy are hungry, they should be fed. Yet, they see a church that speaks of the love of Christ, but far too often fails to demonstrate it in the most simplest of ways.

“It’s hard,” this church leader said to me.

I pushed back and told him it’s not.

Jesus will judge by a very simple measure, which includes loving and caring in the most simple and basic ways:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me,'” Matthew 25:34-36 (see Matthew 25:31-46 for a fuller context).

It is impossible for Christians to be a light to the world with such a darkened heart toward others. Unless we learn to see people with the same attitude and same heart that Christ has for them, we’ll never have a chance to reach them with the Gospel.

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had,” Philippians 2:5.

So if you see someone in need who is hungry, feed them. If they’re thirsty, give them something to drink. If they need clothes, provide them. If they are sick, care for them. If they get in trouble, visit and help them.

In other words, if you’re going to wear Christ’s name, then live like Him!

And toss out the putrid attitude, along with the excuses.

Scotty