God is more interested in how you treat those in your care than in our generosity (with time or money) to a ministry or to any other cause. In Mark 7 Jesus rebuked the Pharisees by quoting one of the ten commandments saying: “Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God) — then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition” (Mark 7:10-13, NIV). We need to be careful to avoid any form of this type of offense. Try to imagine how you would feel if Christ pointed out your failure to love someone in your care, on the day when he judges your life (see 2 Cor. 5:10). Will we escape his indictment by pleading that we were too involved in our ministry or occupation?
By “in our care” we mean anyone to whom we have an existing obligation or responsibility to provide for or lead in some way. Thus, a husband and wife are in each other’s care. Employees are in the care of their employer and any managers over them. Even our next-door neighbor is in our care to some degree.
Loving those in our care includes caring for their emotional needs. This means that we learn to understand them and learn to be attentive to their emotional condition. God cares about our emotions and wants us to do likewise. It will be very difficult to deeply bless others unless we know how to discern and respond to their emotions. This includes learning to say the right words at the right time.
Below is an activational mediation to help you be more attentive to caring for those in your care.
Absorb Scripture. Read Galatians 6:9-10: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (NIV). Read it with your name in it then imagine Jesus standing in front of you speaking these words to you; how does this affect you?
Feelings and Emotions Reflection. Ask yourself: What feelings, if any, did I experience during or after reading this passage? Did this passage convict me about a particular situation in my life and trigger feelings about it?
Truth Commitment. Invite God to reveal your heart then ask yourself: How much do I believe that I will reap for doing good? How much am I motivated by reaping reward from God when faced with a difficult situation?
Action Commitment. Invite God to reveal your heart then ask yourself: Do I need to be more active in doing good to all, especially those in my care and prioritizing my brothers and sisters in Christ? If you are lacking in this area, ask yourself: What is the root of my lack in this area?
Reception (Contemplation.) Ask God to show you anything that you have not fully embraced as well as anything else he desires to show you. Sit with God with a quiet and open heart for at least 60 seconds.
Remember to follow through with your commitment to improve the way you care for those in your care.
