I’m sitting here this past Monday morning watching a grandmother and her three year old grandson at our food bank carefully selecting cans of vegetables, boxes of cereal and various food mixes.  I sit here in silence thinking about my attitudes towards poor people.
    One attitude, which I am not proud of, is rather judgmental.  Their poverty is their own fault! If they weren’t so lazy, they wouldn’t have to come to our food bank! 
    But Jesus tells us not to judge each other so harshly.  He also reminds us that as we have shown kindness to the least of our brothers, so we have shown kindness to him.  The actual words of Jesus from Matthew 25:40 are, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me!”
    Another attitude, but one which God does approve of, is that of being grateful for God’s gifts --and sharing them!  But for the grace of God, I could easily find myself at a food bank asking for help.  What we are and what we have is a gift from God.  For example, if God had not given me parents who had instilled a strong work ethic in me, it’s quite likely I would not have the possessions and money that I have.  Instead, I could easily be a Food Bank Person!
    Soon, grandma and her grandson have made their selections, and we pray together that God would bless them financially and spiritually through Jesus Christ.  They seem to appreciate praying together. 
    We have a food bank at our church, simply because of the words of Jesus which I quoted above.  We are obedient to his words, because he is our Savior and Lord, who has taken away our sins and the sins of the world. 
    Some of my attitudes towards Food Bank People are not pleasing to God.  Those attitudes are forgiven through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Other attitudes are pleasing to God.  They come from Jesus.   The Bible calls them the fruit of faith.
    Especially during this Thanksgiving season, when many food banks have very little food left to give out, consider making a thankful and prayerful donation of canned goods or money to a food bank!