Before You Ask

Before You Ask

The King will say, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”

Matthew 25:40

In July 1969, a storm brought record flooding in Killbuck, Ohio. Businesses were destroyed, homes were damaged, and the community was in shock. Equally surprising was waking up to discover teams of Amish and Mennonites arriving to help. They responded without receiving a request for aid. They knew assistance was needed, and they showed up. They were not afraid to get dirty—not afraid of hard work. Things have not changed since 1969.

While I was visiting the Amish in Ohio, I heard about tourists who happened to arrive in the small town of Charm after a heavy storm. Even though it was early in the morning, the tourists saw Amish men from nearby towns replacing the roof on a damaged building.

A tourist asked one of them, “Without telephones, how do you get out the word about where to meet and when?”

The Amish man chuckled. “No one needed to call; we just came. We knew someone would need our help.”

How wonderful it would be if we all had the same attitude. And shouldn’t we? When we see others in trouble, we often tell them, “Call me if you need help.” But imagine what a relief it would be if we offered help before someone even asked. I can remember many times help has been offered to me. It’s proof that God is at work in the lives of men and women every day.

Jesus declared that when we care for the “least of these”—brothers and sisters in need—we are doing it for Him. Jesus is honored when we put the needs of others above our own, and as the Amish likely know, when God’s love flows through us we, too, are blessed.

Heavenly Father, I thank You for all those You’ve brought into my life to help me in a time of need. Keep nudging me to do the same. And may You be glorified when I give and serve.