There is always an opportunity to help those who need it. Give a real present, you helping one in need.

“For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:8

John 12:1-8 Context clues

Illness can be a time of loneliness
The sickness can bring dark feelings

• Act of worship, priceless
• One who managed the money of the disciples was already a thief. That person will never be able to care for the poor.
• Jesus personal time with the disciples was coming to an end.

Care of the poor is an ongoing project that changes all the time.

The lowest of the low, ones to be put on the Hitler  & Stalin list - I knew of a man mismanaged funds for personal use in a care facility of those who cannot care for themselves. Their disabilities are serious and multiple. They are poor to boot with a personal allowance of $40 a month from the state. The state provides shelter and care.  Imagine being a low life who steals from child-like minds or very difficult physical handicaps. Sorry for the curse word - “Damn”

Judas was stealing what was providing for the training of the disciples and the provisions of Jesus and the disciples as they went from village to village. Judas had the mind for admistration of funds, but he used his skills to steal for his own wants. There is no chance the poor will be cared for. No, what is usually the case is probably the opposite. Judas' objection for Mary's worship only reveals his corruption. 

The poor are always there and there will always be a need. The human condition is always changing. Once strong and self sustaining, a person can lose the ability to work, lose loved ones and be alone, sickness, lost of spouse, parent, long term poverty sets in.

The disciples had a limited budget. Isn’t that always true for most of us. Giving is always given by those closest to the poor themselves and may be the ones investing themselves. The most generous from my experience came from those who themselves were the working poor or close to being poor themselves.

“Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.” Proverbs 21:13

Caring for the weak, the poor, the sick, the disabled, those facing hardship lead to the development of spiritual fruit in character, kindness, gentleness, humility, being there for those in need as matter of habit. For the believer who shares to meet the needs in real and tangible ways. This Christmas or this year adapt a handicap home to give gifts at Christmas. Give gifts on their birthdays. Give a gift of yourself and visit these disabled adults, many who have lost their parents and are rarely visited. Give gifts that fit the person in mind, not just gift cards unless that card fits their desires. 

From the tales of mysteries, Craig Johnson ’s Walt Longmire visited the one legged sheriff once a week to play Chess and share a beer. Walter also gave jobs for the old sheriff and included the old buzzard in his family.

In my hospitalization last week it hit like a ton of bricks how it feels to be lonely and sick to boot. So this year I am going to be giving gifts of love, visits, to disabled I know. The needs are beyond my ability. At my family’s gathering this year as a family we are going to look for practical ways we as a family to give to known people of disability. With in our own family we are going to strengthen our family bonds to make sure we all are involved caring for those who will need lifetime support of friendship, A child with a disabily will one day be without the parents who cared for them. Uncles, Aunts, brothers, sisters cousisns are going to need to step up.

Similar ideas can be done for the poor, adopt a poor person to visit, help with what you can to bless them with shelter, love and care, protection. You will have your limits, but first be willing to put yourself in meeting known needs, friendship. You may have to plan how to best do this. You can’t do everything, but you can do something. Adopt a vet without family. Ideas are many. Your personal investment you dicide and challenge yourself. caring this way will had to your days and God has an ear for those who care for the poor. Keep walking