The Least Of These

There was a time, from before Edison’s light bulb, until World War II; that people started and ended each day with the rising and setting of the sun.  Men worked the fields and women took care of the home.  Both parents were available to the children all of the time.  The old TV shows, Little House on the Prairie and The Walton’s depicted this way of life.  Life revolved around family, friends and neighbors.  Helping the stranger was instilled like a thirst; it was automatic.  Every need that crossed your path was taken personally, like fulfilling your own thirst with a glass of water.  The question was never, “Are we going to help this person in need?” the only question was; “how?”  People had much less, but gave so much more.  Living Jesus’ words below was second nature.

Matthew 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

People were concerned with people.  The coffee pot was always on the stove awaiting the unforeseen guest.  People partied with good food and conversation, which used to be the true riches of America; that is people working together.  It is people of Christian Character that made America great. 

Auntie Lottie and Uncle John were both children of polish immigrants.  They both were taught these “old fashioned” values.  No matter what time of the day or night you would stop by unannounced, the entire refrigerator was brought out to the table and you had to eat and drink coffee for endless hours.  When you left, they always sent you home with something.

The light bulb took people out of their homes and lured them into graveyard shift work around the clock.  World War II put women in the work force and the traditional family was split apart.  Children are carted off to all kinds of activities that have destroyed family time. 

Becoming dependant upon electricity has led to us into the slavery of consumer electronics.  Conversation has become a lost art.  Children today and many adults prefer to text than to talk.  Young people have their own chat language.  Spelling, handwriting and conversation are fast becoming obsolete.  The net result is a “me mentality.”  The focus of life is on self.  Giving and helping are after thoughts and get the leftovers.

Jesus is very clear in the Gospels of what is expected of a Christian.  Not very many professing Christians embrace the values that Jesus gave.  We each need to examine our own life and see how close we are living up to true Christian values.