Are You A Humanitarian?

Today is Humanitarian Day -- one of three days in which we honor Dr. Martin Luther King: January 15th happens to be the day the civil rights activist was born.

But what is a "humanitarian?" Put simply, it is somebody who makes the needs of others a priority. It might be somebody who gives money to charity, or who runs a homeless shelter. We know the word largely because of all the coverage given to celebrities every time they do something nice for somebody. And that's all well and good, but the generosity of Spirit that God expects goes far deeper, and almost never receives national televised coverage.

James 1:27 says, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Jesus takes this even further:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

There's a credit card commercial right now claiming, "we'll treat you like you'd treat you." It features a customer calling the company help desk and, basically, talking to him or herself.  Which is funny, but not entirely accurate. For example, I wouldn't charge me interest. 

And in fact, Jesus isn't referring merely to the way we treat one another, but to our attitudes toward one another. What does love look like, through Jesus' eyes?

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:12-13)

God willing, you may never have to die for another human being. But if you're willing to do that, would you not also be willing to help a friend in need, to do what you can with your limited resources to lift a neighbor out of poverty or distress?

 Jesus personified love by laying down His own life. What he asks of us is often to simply lay down a little time, maybe some of our material possessions, for the sake of others. It may never get you on television, but it sure looks good in God's eyes.