i have been re-reading thru the lof series & in part 4 came across something that has been on my mind alot lately, specially this time of
year when there are so many pleas for donations, angel tree gifts,
food donations, charitable giving, ect...
Part 4 of lof is about the physical vs. spiritual meaning of scritpures.
Ray writes: "In other words, they take something physical (bread); magically metamorphose it into something else physical (namely flesh); and think they have comprehended and achieved something SPIRITUAL."
He talks about how the scriptures, even tho they may sound like they are talking about something physical, always have a higher spiritual meaning. so my question is, how should we live these verses?:
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 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:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
It seems to me that the 'church' spends lots of time, energy and money doing these types of things (good works), yet Jesus says He 'doesn't know them"?
i confess that i feel guilty for not spending more of my time, energy & money doing these 'physical' good works....yet i see how many of my friends go around patting themselves & each other on the back for the charitable acts they do (leaven-puffed up?) ....its kinda a double edged sword?
So i guess my question is, does God expect us to spend the majority of our time doing 'physical' good deeds, or is there a 'spiritual' way of living these verses that is acceptable to Him?
He seems to 'call us out' of the church system, so i am leary of getting involved in anything that they do? any input?
(ps. as a footnote: I seem to have more compassion for the needy than ever before, but i also seem to be coming to see the sufferring of all people as part of Gods plan, so how do i reconcile the desire to help people with letting God work out His plan? confusing....)