With Strings Attached

The Scripture reading today in my daily devotional book, Our Daily Bread, is the famous love chapter, I Corinthians 13. I have been thinking lately about the verse that reads, love "does not seek its own." I was reminded of this verse after hearing a good friend this past weekend speak of the Blessings Baskets that her church gives to the poor and needy each Thanksgiving. She said that each recipient must listen to a sermon, giving the plan of salvation, before he or she receives the free basket. I began to wonder, "Are we attaching strings to our love when we make such a requirement?"

Jesus taught that we should love God and love our neighbors. It is laudable that many charitable groups give to the poor not only for Thanksgiving and Christmas but throughout the year through manna centers, shelters, and other places. Since it has been popular in recent years to ask, "What would Jesus do?" I find it difficult to believe He would put conditions on people for food, healing, or comfort.

On the other hand, I think of my father who was killed in a homicide in 1976. Since he was often homeless, hungry, and poor due to his addiction to alcohol, he often stayed at Gospel Rescue Missions throughout the South. He, like my friend's church above, was required to listen to a sermon before he received a place to stay or food to eat. When he died and my sister picked up his sparse belongings, she found a Bible that smelled just like he always did: of booze and cigarettes. Inside was an Open Windows devotional book open to Acts 16:31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved . . . ."

Perhaps the combination of sermon with food and shelter isn't so bad after all.