"Whenever you did it for any of my people,
no matter how unimportant they seemed,
you did it for me." Matthew 25:40 (CEV)
By Judith Cultura- De Leon
Matthew 25:40, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me", this could become a cliche and a good-sounding yet hollow slogan. Who cares about the ragged, soot-covered mentally ill street wanderers with their matted hair and ink-blank fingernails when we ourselves go crazy making ends meet. Who cares about the elderlies at the home for the aged, they already have had a full life anyway? Hard and harsh life is these days, it's like the survival of the fittest. Eat or be eaten. Do or die. Who has time to think about other people, much less help them?
When is the right time to do good to others? When we want to give, we give but when we don't want to, the alibis are countless. Here are some:
1. The Waiting Game: This must be a juggling act because these people balance helping others with the content of their savings or checking account or how much is inside their wallet before helping others. If I have P1,000 I can not help other people because it's not even enough for a pair of good shoes. Even if I will have P5,000 I still don't think I can set aside a few bucks because I've been wanting a small TV for my room. But wait until I have P10,000. Ah, that's the time!
2. The Just Like One of Them Syndrome: Unlike those in #1, these people are conscious of having enough and yet do not want to part with whatever they have. So they pretend that just like the needy people, they too are in dire need. These people would rather be on the receiving end than give.
3. The Indignant Bloke: These people actually have the huge capacity to give and help others. However, as a matter of principle they will throw these phrases to your face - What? You think I just sit down and lay golden eggs? No, I bend my back and work like a dog to get to where I am now. And you expect me to give and just hand it to you on a silver platter?
People with lesser status are better givers than these.
4. The Shy Effect: These people need more convincing. They will say, I really want to help. Yes I do. But you know, they might not like this. This may not be enough. I don't think this is what they need. And the list of negativity could go on.
But then people and organizations are aware today of their social responsibility, of being a man for others, of being the one with the bigger heart. As I learned from a resource person, before it was the age of kings - the power rested on the royalty, the common people were just peasants. In the age of land - there was still a kingdom mindset and the power rested on the landowners. In an age of machines power rests on the rich who can afford to buy them. Now, it is the People's age. And power rests on them because without them nothing moves. That's why even companies now are very much aware of the importance of helping people. You feel a different kind of happiness when you help someone. That is something that can only come from having done something good, not for yourself but to others and for nothing in return. This is why, even with the myriad of reasons not to help the less fortunate, people with big hearts find it worthwhile to share and extend and stretch their resources.
And to The Salvation Army it was in 1880 that the slogan, "Heart to God, Hand to Man" came into being. Helping the needy combining it with the Gospel, the work spread throughout the world. Through the help of friends The Salvation Army continues its humanitarian mission motivated by its faith in God and love for people. After all, Christ Jesus said in his words, "Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me." (Matthew 25:40) CEV)
Judith De Leon soldiers at the Army's Cebu Central Corps. She is married and with two kids.
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Added: Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 02:52
Congratulation to the new website, I am excited to know more about the
Salvation Army here in the Philippines.
Please help me to locate the webpage of the Training College.
Julian Casimero, Manila Philippines
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Added: Monday, 17 December 2007, 18:55
GREETINGS IN D NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST THANK U VERYMUCH 2 DS WEBSITE.IM ROBETH ACTIVE MEMBER IN BULALACAO OR.MDO. MISS U VERYMUCH CAPT.FLORIDA OALANG MAJOR NPO PLA KAU NGAUN CONGRATULATION!IM SO BLESS WHEN I C & READ DS SITE PLS SEND ME UR CHURCH ADD. HERE IN KANGWONDO S-KOREA.I ALSO MISS 2 READ WAR CRY AND I ALSO MISS 2 READ DAILY DEVOTION.IM REALLY HAPPY 2 FOUND DS SITE SPECIALLY WHEN THE TYM OF LONELINESS,I REALLY MISS MY FAMILY IN PHILS.BUT WHEN I FOUND DS SITE I FEEL THERE S SOME1 WHO COMPORT ME.IM SO GLAD 2 FOUND DS SITE MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!HOPE 2 HAVE MORE&GOOD PROGRAM N DS SITE.MORE POWER!!!& MAY GOD BLESS US!!!
ROBETH DELA PISA, KOREA/KANGWONDO
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Added: Thursday, 31 January 2008, 06:18
hi jeremae dela cruz............
allen lourd, iloilo
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Added: Sunday, 10 February 2008, 06:49
greetings in the name of JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!
I AM A FORMER BETHANIAN.. . .AND A FORMER BELIEVER AS WELL. . . BUT NOW, MY LIFE IS SO DIFFERENT TO THE ONE I HAD BEFORE WHEN I WAS STILL IN MY FAITH WITH SALVATIONIST WHO THOUGHT ME. . .PRESENTLY, I DONT HAVE THAT FAITH ANYMORE. . .I AM PRACTICING NOW THE "USUAL" TRADITION OF "CONNECTING" TO GOD. .,HEHEHEHE . . .PA SIMBA SIMBA LNG PO!!!!. . .I CANT FIND HAPPINESS SA GINAGWA KO. . SANA PO U CAN EMAIL ME. AND LET ME KNOW PO KNG MERON KAUNG SIMBAHAN IN MAKATI. . . COZ I SAW ONCE WHEN I WAS IN CITYLAND KYA LNG PO NAHIYA AKONG I APPROACH XA!!! HEHEHEHE THANKS PO!!!!!
jemica montinola, makati
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