Then the good people will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you alone and away from home and invite you into our house? When did we see you without clothes and give you something to wear? When did we see you sick or in prison and care for you?”

Then the King will answer, “I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.” [Matthew 25:37-40 (NCV)]

Hunger, poverty, disease, war, homelessness: these problems are so daunting, so overwhelming, that it is easy to step back and say there is nothing we can do. I recently met a young man who decided there was something he could do. After seeing extreme poverty in his work as an engineer, he founded a charity that helps the hungry mothers and children who live in garbage dumps in Zambia, Sierra Leone and India. His organization, completely staffed by volunteers, now provides these people with food, clean water and the hope of a future.

Last week, I also learned of a teacher in one of our nation’s cities who was shocked to learn that several of his students went hungry on the weekends. The breakfast and lunches provided by the school during the week were the only meals on which they could depend. He started a group that now provides food bags on Fridays that help these children get through the weekend without going hungry.

These men did more than throw their money at a problem; they put their compassion to work. Although they’ve not solved the larger issues of poverty, they have made a major difference in the lives of some of God’s children. They didn’t let the fact that they couldn’t do it all keep them from doing something.

Dear Lord, there is so much need in our troubled world. Is there something I can do to make life better for the least of your children? Help me to identify the task and give me the strength and skill to accomplish your work.

Then they will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?” And he will answer, “I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.” [Matthew 25:44-45 (NCV)]