SCRIPTURE FOR SUNDAY, February 5, 2023
Matthew 25: 31-40 (Christian Standard Bible)
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels[a] with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations[b] will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. 34 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 foundation of the world.
35 “‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me; I was in prison and you visited me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and take you in, or without clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick, or in prison, and visit you?’
40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER THROUGH THE WEEK:
What does it mean to “give generously” in service?
Think on these verses this week:
Psalm 100:2; Matthew 20:28; Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 6:7; Romans 12:7; 1 Peter 4:10
What does it mean to give to God in service?
In our main Scripture in Matthew, Jesus is saying that whatever we have done, no matter how small, to help others, we are doing to Him. What a privilege it is to serve.
Even a cup of cold water in His name is service! Think about that! It isn’t how big or small your service to the Lord, but your attitude and heart behind it. Are you doing it to get accolades from people or to give the glory all to the Lord?
There are always places to serve in the church and each one of you can bring gifts that God has given to you. It doesn’t matter if you are in the pulpit, helping clean up after a fellowship dinner or if you are a prayer warrior for people’s needs—if it is done unto the Lord—it brings Him glory!
Through the week make it a special effort to serve the Lord in all things and to love Him fully no matter what!