The least of these

Living in Accra (like most cities), means living in a world of contrasts. One can lead a comfortable life, settle in the affluent side of town, get caught in the latest trends or most happening restaurants, lounges and bars. And yet just around the corner, on the next street, or at the traffic light intersection, one is often faced with people in need: a beggar, or someone asking for funds for their next meal, rent payment, or school fees.

What is your disposition when faced with such situations? Being exposed to this day in and out can lead to one being desensitized to such issues. We all at one point or another may feel ripped off, lied to or taken advantage off. It can feel overwhelming, that it is too much of a problem for one person to solve. It may be easier and less complicated to turn a blind eye.

Reflecting on Matthew 25:35-40, righteousness is linked with giving to those who need food and are thirsty, caring for those in prison, making a stranger feel welcome and caring for those who are sick. Jesus said all this done for the least of these, is done for him. Righteousness can be seen has having a right relationship with God and mankind. It is extending generosity and love to the fatherless, poor, immigrant and those on the fringes of society. Over and over again in the bible, we are called to give and to love, especially to those who are not able to return the favor. We are called to give and love, regardless of the response or motivation of the receiver.

John Piper puts it quite bluntly this way:

“When you get to heaven, you will not hear out of the mouth of King Jesus, “Wow. You were sure shrewd not to be taken advantage of.” I promise you, that will not be one of your rewards. If you were taken advantage of fifty percent of the time, and the other fifty percent it met some need and glorified Jesus — and you don’t know which is which; he does — he doesn’t really care whether you got ripped off”

He then shares how he made it a point to have some change on him every time he was to walk past beggars in his area, and spend a few minutes talking to them to get to know their story. Helping may look different for each one of us, but the important thing is that we do something.

We can start within our neighborhoods, and those around us, and we can also partner with organisations to help those in need.

International Justice Mission is an organisation that works with government agencies to rescue victims of various forms of abuse and ensure that they are protected in the long term through effective law enforcement. In Ghana, much of its work is focused on trafficked children working in the fishing industry on the Volta Lake. Here children work up to fourteen hours a day with one meal a day. They face physical and emotional abuse, are denied basic education and medical attention. The stories are hard to hear, and some even drown on the lake. International Justice Mission works with the government and other partners for the rehabilitation of these young children. Over time there is change and there is hope, which is clear to see on the demeanor and faces of these young ones. They start to smile, trust and play again.

I have the privilege of working with International Justice Mission, and this hope is what keeps us going day after day. On the third Sunday in September (Freedom Sunday) every year, we celebrate God’s heart for justice across churches all over the country. We remind each other of our responsibilities to help. This can be through being an advocate of the cause, or becoming a prayer partner and supporting the work through consistent prayer.

Most of all, today is a day that I reflect and remind myself to not get too comfortable. To not turn a blind eye to the need I see around me, but to see what little ways I can reach out to those most in need. I remind myself that in all I do, I should remember to:

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

Isaiah 1:17