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Burger King or King of Kings?
Elizabeth Kilby • August 8, 2022
If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? James 2:16
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” John 6:26-27
Friends,
We were recently discussing John 6 in a Bible study. Jesus feeds the five thousand and then they plot to make Him the king so He will continue to meet all their physical needs. Tony Evans said they weren’t looking for a King, they wanted a Burger King, which made us all laugh, but it was true. They weren’t looking for a Savior and Lord, they just wanted to be comfortable. They wanted the gifts but didn’t really care about the giver.
Over and over in the Bible we see times when Jesus meets a physical need to open the door to engage in a conversation about spiritual truths. James reminds us we are called to meet the needs of those around us when we are able.
Often the first encounter I have with someone through Harvest House is because there is a very real, tangible need which cannot be met without some sort of intervention. It is the perfect opportunity to open a door for a spiritual conversation. In fact, most of the time, after a “thank you”, I give a little speech about how nobody who works with Harvest is a remarkable person. We are just people who love Jesus and want to show the world around us how He loves.
Sometimes, relationships built on mutual respect are built and we can continually point to the Lord. Other times, it seems like Harvest is just the Burger King and nothing more is wanted than for the need to be met.
Both are ok. One is absolutely more rewarding, but both are ok. In the end, the love of Jesus is shown, just like Jesus did, even to people who may not want anything more.
In Christ,
Aaron and Elizabeth Kilby
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Harvest Youth Ministries (HYM) is an outreach aimed at young people; not a youth group. HYM is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) not-for-profit ministry. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
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