It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy. Proverbs 14:21

The media tries to overcomplicate the moral message of Marvel’s Black Panther, but I believe the comic adaptation conveys a simple yet strong message. T’Challa is the new king of Wakanda after his father passes away. Wakanda is a paradise, sitting on the best resources and technology. T’Challa is pressured into hoarding it all, keeping the technological breakthroughs exclusive to Wakanda. By the end of the movie, T’Challa casts off the selfish policies of the old kingdom and exposes Wakanda’s wealth to the United Nations, ensuring that the nation will use its resources to bless others.

There are different viewpoints on helping others. One popular view is that you should do it because it makes you feel good. Who doesn’t want to feel good? Another common view is: Do it, or people will think negatively about you. Society has a tendency to guilt-trip people into helping.

Proverbs 14:21 removes the external motivators and finds the moral center of helping. Our use of kindness is not a currency that grants us endorphins or threatens shame, though that is a common side effect. Instead, kindness to others is our default operating system. God embedded us with this task from birth. When we find excuses not to help, God must remind us that we are fighting against His will.

One of evil’s greatest ploys is making people feel self-conscious when they want to show kindness. We call people “Woke” for wanting to get involved with others’ problems. We label helpers as brainwashed or duped when they want to help someone. Political voices and pundits are notorious for helping us decide what is “good help” and “bad help.” I think God simplifies the noise with, “If your neighbor has a need, then it’s my will that you point them in a good direction.”

Don’t do it for the fame or to escape the guilt. Ask God to give you a spirit that wants to help anyone in need.

Note

*Please take into account that some people need help in ways that we can’t give. This Bible verse is not permission to overextend yourself.

Figure It Out:

Matthew 25:34-36

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

  1. Circle all the words and phrases that jump out to you
  2. What is God/Jesus’ responsibility here?
  3. What is our response/responsibility here?
  4. What does this reading inspire or motivate you to do?