There’s no doubt that God cares deeply about children and the poor, and He expects us to be His hands and feet. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus left little to the imagination! When we care for those in need, we are giving that care to Him! Search a few statistics and find that the resources most of us live on each day is an astronomical amount compared to the poorest in the world. It’s difficult to see outside our own “box,” but Jesus certainly loves the whole world, not just my little world!
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
I doubt you need more convincing, but here are more verses asserting God’s care for those in need. If I back up and take a sincere look at my day-to-day life, I know I don’t measure up.
- James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
- Psalm 68:5
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
- Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
- Proverbs 21:13
Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
With all that in mind, I’d like to share with you my love for Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child; there is so much information on their website, I have tried to narrow down some things you may need to know from their site. Please consider contributing any of the ways you see below or by contacting me for more information!
What is Operation Christmas Child?
Samaritan’s Purse sends gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to children in need around the world together with the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. By filling ordinary shoeboxes full of toys and other fun items, you can be part of giving boys and girls what may be their first gift ever! Local churches in more than 100 nations hand out these Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts at festive outreach events where the Gospel is presented in a child-friendly way. Each box bursting with items such as a soccer ball, doll, or stuffed animal becomes a tangible expression of God’s love to the child, their family, and their community. Many shoebox recipients also participate in our 12-lesson follow-up discipleship program, The Greatest Journey.
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/
2024 impact:
In 2024, Our Father’s House contributed 40 shoebox gifts. Many of those went to the nation of Hondurus
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/2024-special-report/
How to pack a shoebox:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org
How to pack a shoebox video:
https://video.samaritanspurse.org/
Build a box online:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/
Impact Videos:
https://video.samaritanspurse.org/
Financials:
Samaritan’s Purse is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity and has been helping in Jesus’ Name since 1970.
Charity Navigator gives us a four-star rating—their highest.
What an effective way to help fulfill the Great Commission of Mark 16:15 to preach the gospel to everyone in the world! If I can make your participation easier for you, let me know and I will be glad to help! We will finish up our contributions the week of November 17 at Our Father’s House this year.
