A Child of God

Today’s devotion was originally printed in The Upper Room.

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The king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”   (Matthew 25:40)

My wife, my grandson, and I had been shopping and were about to leave for home. Nearby, an older man was waving a sign that read, “Navy Vet. Will dance for food.” I intended to ignore him and drive on, but my 16-year-old grandson stopped me. He said, “Papa, that man is hungry, and we need to buy him lunch.”

I sometimes disregard people holding similar signs because I question their sincerity. At my grandson’s statement, I remembered the reading above from Matthew. It did not matter if the man was a veteran, or willing to dance, or even if his need was sincere. He was a child of God who was hungry. We purchased lunch for the man who blessed us as he received the food. As I received his blessing, I knew that I had learned a valuable lesson.

- Harold Lemley (Georgia, USA)

Today's Prayer
O God, forgive us when we dismiss the needs of others. Thank you for the people who remind us to offer what we can to help those in need. Amen.

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