Second greatest commandment

I am in the process of reading Richard Stearns book, The Hole in our Gospel.

In this book he gives a good explanation that God expects us to take care of our neighbor. In the Bible, in Matthew 22:34-40 Jesus instructs us that the greatest commandment is to love God and the second greatest is to love our neighbor as ourselves.

This loving is to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and bring justice to the poor. We who have more than we need are encouraged, no required to do these things for those who have less than they need.

There isn't a shortage of food, water, medicine, or materials for shelter, it just isn't distributed properly. That is our responsibility to take care of the inequity. Most poor are that way because they haven't had the opportunities that the rest of us have had. If we share, then all will be able to have at least the necessities of life. This isn't socialism, but just loving our neighbor.

In our world today we have available to us information on who the needy are. They can be in our community, our country, and those around the world. If we ignore them we will be held accountable for their suffering. We can give of our time our goods and our finances, but we must give.

There are very severe consequences for those who know of those in need and don't meet the need. Be careful where you give that the gifts will be used wisely.