Me:  Look at those nice condo’s!

Prodigal:  I do believe that those people are so rich they eat their layin’ hens.

Me:  We can’t have prejudice against the rich.

Prodigal:  No, we can’t.

 

This is from the book Voices of the Faithful by Beth Moore.

I had known the quiet woman for only a few months, but already I respected her.  Her father had died young, and she was the primary breadwinner for her family.  She worked hard and sought to honor her mother.  After a missionary led her to the Lord, she also lived her life for Jesus.  She was pleasant and had a true servant’s heart.

She went to church, yet even there the dividing lines were drawn.  As a poor girl born into a low Hindu caste of street sweepers, few greeted her with handshakes and warm embraces.

I had been bedridden for more than a week.  I was too weak to go to the nearest medical facility.  I struggled to swallow water, and I ate and drank nothing else.  My body and mind were too exhausted to read Scripture or even to pray.  My family was continents away, and friends did not know what to do to help me improve.

Then the young woman came to my bedside.  I was happy to have her there.  She placed her hand on my forearm and went directly to the Lord in prayer, asking for my healing.  The  next morning I was well.

How grateful I am to the Lord that the woman whom so many reject placed her hands of prayer on me!

Although it is easy to judge other believers for their treatment of this woman born in humble circumstances, I had to ask myself the shameful question, Do I have any prejudice in my heart?

Chele, South Asia

 

Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.  For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of Lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

Deuteronomy 10:16-17

 

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org