Focus: Let My People Care!

Text: Esth.10:3

"For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed."

Someone once said that people don't care about how much you know until they know how much you care, and that is correct. We live in a world where people care more about themselves than they do about others. Paul declares concerning the last days that men shall be "lovers of themselves… lovers of pleasures" (2Tim.3:2,4). A lot of us are callous and careless about others. 

The psalmist lamented, "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul" (Ps.142:4). Multitudes are in the same situation as the psalmist. A lot of people find themselves living lonely in a crowded world. Too many cold hearts in this world.

God calls on His people to emulate Mordecai, who used his good office to advance the welfare of his people. He sought for the wealth of his people and spoke peace to all his seed. He saw every position and blessing as a privilege to do good and improve the lots of his people. Paul says, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith" (Gal.6:10).

Nehemiah was moved to the depth of his being when he heard the pathetic state of his people back in Jerusalem. He felt bad about the plight and pain of his people. Here is the report he received: "The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire" (Neh.1:3). Here is Nehemiah's response: "And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven" (Neh.1:4). After his prayers he stepped into action, and having obtained the favor and permission of the king, he traveled to Jerusalem and rebuilt the fallen walls of the city. He used his good office to do good and advance his people's welfare and wellbeing.

Obadiah is another man who cared for others, especially the prophets of God. The Scripture says, "For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)" (1Kgs.18:4). Do the costing and tell us how much Obadiah must have spent feeding hundred mouths in months or years from the kitchen of Ahab. 

Any one who is willing to care for others will always find ways to do so.

Let's stop making excuses for not being kind and nice!

What about Paul? He was a man who made sacrifices for others and for the good of the kingdom. He said, "Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches" (2Cor.11:28). He cared about Christ's church and those who were members of Christ's body. He said, "And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved" (2Cor.12:15). He made great sacrifices for others and loved them deeply. He was expendable for the good of others.

Then consider our Jesus. Paul says of Him, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2Cor.8:9). Christ left His heavenly wealth and came down to earth, and lived in poverty. He became poor for our sake and laid down His life for His friends. 

While we were yet sinners He died for us and blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places. He cared for us and showed us infinite compassion.

Why should you not care? God is calling upon you to care for His work on earth, for His church, for His people, for His chosen vessels, and for those in need. Be passionate about what God is passionate about! Be about your Father's business! Do good to all men, especially those who are of the household of faith, even as Paul has instructed us in the Scripture. God is saying to all of us, 'Let my people care!'

by Bishop Moses E. Peter