The Biblical Version of Human Services

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Catey Stover in Victory Call

“… ‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:35-40 ESV)

These are very powerful verses.  In this passage, we are instructed to provide those who are lacking with food, water, clothing, and even company during hard times.  I have just begun a journey to receive my Master’s in Human Services.  Human services exists to help people meet their basic needs that at this point and time cannot be met by the individual.  Human service professionals help provide things like food, clothing, work, and company during hard times.  This, of course, has the goal of helping people one day be self-sufficient, but with the understanding that right now, due to a multitude of reasons, they cannot provide for themselves.

As I began the reading for my class, I was reminded of what the Bible has to say about helping others.  The Bible is clear that we are to help people physically as well as spiritually and emotionally.  James 2:15-16 (ESV) says, If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  These verses are shared in the context of faith.  Faith without works is dead.  A dead faith is equivalent to someone wishing well to the poor and choosing not to provide any physical assistance.

It is clear from both of these passages of Scripture that God cares deeply about the poor and we are to care just as much.  God calls His people to take action.  He even goes so far as to say that whatever was done for and given to the least of these was really done for and given to Jesus.  This is the ultimate act of kindness and yet it is accomplished by blessing the least of these.

So how are you helping those in need today?  What can you do moving forward to bless the heart of the struggling and the heart of Jesus?

 

Written by Ally Lang: Ally Lang is a full-time soul care worker at Barbara’s Place. She loves her husband, her fur babies, and watching God rescue and restore broken lives from addiction. Her heart’s desire is to be used by God to encourage and challenge other women, as others have done for her

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Think About This: “The most eloquent prayer is the prayer through hands that heal and bless.” – Billy Graham

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 78-82| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. –Matthew 16:24-25

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.