To Fish or Not to Fish

“For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” Luke 9:48

When Taal Volcano acted up, many people gave clothes, shoes, food and other things. But it was so sad because some of the things donated were very old, and could not be used anymore. And winter clothes and snow boots were obviously useless to the refugees. 

Mother Teresa always said do not give our left overs to the poor, that we should not treat the poor like a garbage bag and give what we have no use for. We should be ashamed of ourselves if we gave Jesus, the King of Kings, an old rag to clothe Himself!

Sometimes I have to grapple with my conscience because there are so many in need. And, I have to admit, there are those I am willing to help more than others. What if someone continually asks from you because she or he says their family is hungry, but you see that they are all getting fatter and fatter? What if you’ve given money already because they promised they would find a way to start a business? What if others have already given and provided a way for livelihood, and still nothing has happened? In 2 Thessalonians 3:10-13, we can read, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” In all good conscience, I believe we should also help others not to continually beg. Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once said 'give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’. 

After all, Jesus said that what we do for the least of our brothers, we do for Him (Matthew 25:40). What are we doing for the least of our brothers? Let us definitely not give them rags but as much as possible, if we can, help them find a way to support themselves. 

How wonderful that there is a record of Jesus’ instructions and stories that we can read and read again. If we want to obey God, to learn about Him and His ways, we can do nothing better than to ponder His words and follow them.