Issue 136
There are some people at work who could be described as ‘high maintenance’. Their default mode of behaviour is to require help, support, advice and supervision. It is always dangerous to label others but you will have come across those who are net receivers. You will also be aware of those whose attitude and actions leave enriched, encouraged and positive; these are the net givers. Before you shrug your shoulders and conclude that this is just how it is, and you need to grin and bear the status quo, you may like to reflect that the stakes are a bit higher in this dynamic.
The net receivers may not be aware of the self-centred nature of their behaviour. Self-absorption blinds us to the realities of others’ situations. The truth of the matter is that many around you are hungry for meaning, job satisfaction or encouragement. They thirst for a better life and often feel trapped behind unseen bars of frustration, despair and struggle. Net receivers just doesn’t see this: they construct shells around themselves which allow a flow in but never out. Even the concept of asking a question to enquire after someone’s well-being is alien to them.
Equally un-self-aware, some people reach out to you. Their manner leaves you fully satisfied, or empowered and less trapped. There is an irony which can be observed in that sometimes those who are the most religious can be the least giving. A form of spirituality creates the very shell which blinds some to the obvious needs of others.
“When did we see you hungry, naked, thirsty or in prison?” the net receivers ask in Jesus’ carefully constructed parable. Equally the givers are perplexed as well. It’s not saying “Lord, Lord” that defines our spirituality, but the combination of saying “Lord, Lord” with seeing needs and meeting them.
There is a school of thought that teaches that real life is always tough and difficult; growth comes through hardship and struggle. Some people, however, just seem to see the suffering of others and respond positively. When someone is hungry, thirsty, cold, tired or trapped, either physically or psychologically, they need help.
Perhaps the theme of Jesus’ story is a call to make life easier for others. We have the benefit of Jesus’ warning to help us avoid indifference and deepen our awareness. Whatever your ambitions for the coming months, I would suggest ‘making life easier for others’ be high on the list. Everywhere you look there is a need for the kindness of strangers.
(Note: the idea for this piece was conceived in December 2004. In the light of the Tsunami catastrophes, we hope that this is also an encouragement to recognise that a priority for us as Christians is not to question our faith but to practice it; not to doubt our God but to serve him and maybe even question our own global behaviour).
Matthew 25: 31-46
31″When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 34″Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37″Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40″The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 41″Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44″They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45″He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 46″Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
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Geoff Shattock
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