Whatever ministry you pursue, you can find inspiration in the works and the work of Mother Teresa. To view Mother Teresa as simply an unusually alturistic person is to miss the central message of her life. As she explained, “whoever the poorest of the poorare, they are Christ for us – Christ under the guise of human suffering The Missionaires of Charity are firmly convinced that each time we offer help to the poor, we really offer help to Christ.”

What better incentive could there be to get involved in the lives of people who desperately need you? “And 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 23:40.

Take time to pray and talk to the Lord about:

-Any reservations you may have about ministering to needy people.

-The opportunity to minister to Him through the “least” of His brothers and sisters.

-How to set a ministry example for your kids or other family members.

Take more time to discuss together or reflect on these questions:

Do you have to have a “heart” for a particular group of people in order to minister to them effectively? Explain.

What similarities are there in your thoughts about ministering to people in need and your loved one’s thoughts? What can you do with that common ground?

What differences are there between your ministry views and your spouse;s? How can you bridge those gaps in order to minister together?

Consider these passages for further study on Helping People in Need:

Leviticus 19:9-10  “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. ¹⁰ Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.

I Samuel 2:7-8  

The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
    he humbles and he exalts.
⁸ He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
    on them he has set the world. Read full chapter

Job 29:11-17 Whoever heard me spoke well of me,
    and those who saw me commended me,
¹² because I rescued the poor who cried for help,
    and the fatherless who had none to assist them.
¹³ The one who was dying blessed me;
    I made the widow’s heart sing.
¹⁴ I put on righteousness as my clothing;
    justice was my robe and my turban.
¹⁵ I was eyes to the blind
    and feet to the lame.
¹⁶ I was a father to the needy;
    I took up the case of the stranger.
¹⁷ I broke the fangs of the wicked
    and snatched the victims from their teeth.

Deuteronomy 15:7-11

 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. ⁸ Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. ⁹ Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. ¹⁰ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. ¹¹ There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

Thoughts of Gary Chapman allowed me to be more aware of other’s love language. This shows that it will help serve people even greater.