Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
MATTHEW 25:40 NIV
“And when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.”
Little Women, Chapter 2
Jo finds “a little crimson-covered book” under her pillow on Christmas morning—a copy of “that beautiful old story of the best life ever lived.” It’s described as a “true guidebook for any pilgrim going on a long journey.”1 Meg’s copy is green, Beth’s is dove, and Amy’s is blue, each with “the same picture inside, and a few words written by their mother.” Meg suggests that they “read a little every morning,” a habit they’ve “neglected” since their lives were “unsettled” when Father went away. And they all settle down to read quietly for a half-hour.
At breakfast, their faith is quickly put to the test. As they prepare to eat the beautiful breakfast Hannah cooked and give their gifts to Marmee, Mrs. March comes in from visiting a “poor woman with a little newborn baby” and six hungry children “huddled into one bed to keep from freezing.” She asks if they will give the Hummel family their breakfast as a Christmas present, and after a short pause, the four sisters quickly pack up their delicious feast.
At the Hummel home, they see things they’ve never encountered: “A poor, bare, miserable room. . .with broken windows, no fire, ragged bedclothes, a sick mother, wailing baby, and a group of pale, hungry children cuddled under one old quilt.” They set to work quickly, building up the fire, caring for the mother, and feeding the children. Afterward, Meg says, “That’s loving our neighbor better than ourselves, and I like it.”
The March sisters give away their breakfast and content “themselves with bread and milk,” leaving “comfort behind” them. And the result is this: “there were not in all the city four merrier people.” Haven’t you found that to be true? When we give away our best, we come away with merry hearts! It’s easier to give away our milk and bread instead of our “cakes and cream and. . .muffings” [sic], but it’s a true sacrifice of praise to give away what we cherish most.
When you love and care for others, you show kindness to Jesus Himself. Jesus said, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me” (Matthew 25:35–36 NIV). If you’re wondering how you can possibly do any of those things for Jesus, Jesus explained it like this: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40 NIV).
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
HEBREWS 13:16 NIV
Personal Application:
Where can you “leave comfort behind” you in your daily life? What can you do in your home, in your neighborhood, or at your office or school to bring comfort to others? Ask God to show you how you can use your gifts to bless and love your neighbor as yourself today (Mark 12:31).
The March girls start their day with morning devotions, something they’ve neglected since “father went away” and the war “unsettled them.” If they hadn’t spent that first half hour of the day preparing their hearts, they might not have so cheerfully given their breakfast away. Do you have a time and a tucked-away place for your personal devotions? If not, think of ways to make that time special and make it a priority.
Prayer for Today:
Thank You, Lord, for this reminder to prepare my heart through Bible reading and prayer each day. Please help me look for ways to love my neighbor, bless my family and friends, and leave comfort behind me wherever I go this week. When I am too focused on my own comfort, help me see other people’s needs. Show me how I can bless these people today: [specific names]. In Jesus’ name, amen.
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
PROVERBS 11:25 NIV
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