The Least Of These Thy Brethren

[This is a story that we got off of the internet. We adapted it a little bit. As we read this story, let's remember James chapter 2. Verses 1-9: "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Yahshua Christ of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, 'Sit thou here in a good place'; and say to the poor, 'Stand thou there or sit here under my footstool': Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts. Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not Yahweh chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy Name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,' ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors." Here is the story now. Enjoy.]

It was a cold winter's day that Sabbath. The parking lot to the meeting house was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the meeting house. As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the meeting house. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet with holes all over them, his toes stuck out. I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the meeting house. We all gathered for fellowship for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man laying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to ask him to come in, including me.

A few moments later [assembly] began. We all waited for the preacher to take his place to give us the Word, when the doors to the meeting house opened. In came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down. People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up onto the pulpit. He took off his hat and coat. My heart sank. There stood our preacher.........he was the "homeless man." No one said a word. The preacher took the Scriptures and laid them on the stand. "Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I'm preaching about today." Then he started singing the words to this song.

"If I can help somebody as I pass along.

If I can cheer somebody with a word or song.

If I can show somebody that he's traveling wrong.

Then my living shall not be in vain."