“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” (Matthew 25:40).

Sometimes the Lord lets us walk in places, see things and have experiences in order that we can learn a lesson that we might miss otherwise.  There is nothing like an experience to leave a lasting impression on us in an area that needs some correction.

Recently, I had the opportunity to do a favor for some folks, though I was not able to specify who would be the recipients.  I had certain ones picked out in my mind that I thought would be the most deserving; but I very disappointed when it was distributed where I thought it was not deserving.  I had even given the Lord instructions to “help Him” decide who would be included.  How idiotic!

The following day, the memory came back in a distasteful way; then suddenly the Holy Spirit interrupted my thoughts with the verse above (Matthew 25:40).  Sure, I knew about that verse and had some preconceived ideas of who the “least” were.

“Who are the ‘least’?” the question was dropped in my mind as if I had never considered it before.  Well, I thought about it again and decided it was not the person who was just four feet tall whose stature would be ‘least’ in an average crowd.  It would not be the thinnest person, because God looks on the heart, not the outward appearance.  Could it be the one whose faithfulness and works were taken for granted?  Or maybe those who worked behind the scenes and were seldom noticed?  I mentally went through a list that I thought would fit the category of “the least” but none of them seemed to fit the query. Then the answer dropped right in behind the question and my answers.

 “What about the undeserving?”  That was startling!  We tend to give the deserving ones priority status and rewards.  Who gets the Oscar and the Emmy?  Who are those who receive the promotions and accolades? The ‘deserving,’ of course. 

But is God pleased when he sees where our good works and recognition are operating? 

“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?”  (Matthew 5:46). 

Just when we think we know what a verse means, the Holy Ghost opens another door with a brighter light shining on it; and a whole new perspective comes to life!

If God only gave us what we deserved, what would we receive?  Lumps of coal!  Not diamonds, certainly not streets of gold to look forward to.

Now, look back again at my incident.  The ones I had mentally chosen to receive what I had considered my ‘generosity’ were passed by.  The one I considered least deserving was chosen instead.  Now, isn’t that Just Like Jesus!  Does a look in a mirror show that God loved the “deserving” so much He sent His only Son to die for them?  Oh no!  God so loved “the world” and Jesus so loved the “undeserving” that He died for us!

I would be the first to say that God indeed does reward faithfulness and honors our deeds – if our works honor Him!  Our faithfulness is laying up treasures in heaven and sometimes even blessings here on earth.  But the real reward, God’s Oscars for excellence, are in the future.  We should acknowledge those who serve faithfully among us and give honor to whom honor is due.

However—we must not overlook the undeserving.  God doesn’t.  Who deserves God’s Mercy which opens the door for His Grace to enter our lives?  No one!  It is a gift, not earned by good works, wages.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

So, I stood corrected.  Thank you, Lord!  Only eternity will reveal what the results of showing mercy toward the undeserving will be.  It could be the turning point of a life toward the Mercy of God, expressed through us.  In light of eternity, how important is a soul that “deserves” hell?

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). 

The worth of a soul is inestimable!  It may appear that the person God puts in our path is so undeserving that we may pass them by, but “What would Jesus do?”

“And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great” (Luke 9:48).

The “least” sometimes are not able to reciprocate our generosity.  On the other hand, they might be more than able, but undeserving of our notice in our eyes.  The “least deserving” may be the ones God has placed in our path to show what the Love of God is really like—though we are all undeserving, it is available because of His Mercy and Grace.  That seems to level the playing field.

“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23).

Let us not overlook the ‘least deserving’—“for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil!”  We must not play god, deciding who is worthy and miss out on the reward God has planned for us—and for them.  He is not looking for perfection (totally without fault), but He does expect maturity and excellence and He will reward it. 

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the highest; for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:35).

Lay up treasures in heaven by remembering the “least” among us!

~~~Delores~~~