At the start of every new year, a lot of people make “resolutions”—to lose weight, save money, and eat healthily. While these resolutions can be a good thing, I believe that a great way to put our best foot forward into 2022 is to follow in the footsteps of Yeshua... and take care of “the least” of His brothers and sisters.
Jacob (known as James today), the apostle of the first congregation in Jerusalem and brother of Yeshua, reminds us as followers of Messiah:
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)
That is why for this month, we—the Tikkun pastors and leaders throughout Israel from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv to the Galilee—want to focus on responding to the needs of the widows, fatherless, and single-parent families in the congregations.
In Israel, the cost of living is high and incomes are often low. Israel is the most expensive place to live in the Middle East, and Tel Aviv was recently awarded the dubious honor of being the most expensive place to live on the planet!
A single-parent household in Israel often earns as little as $1,600 a month. That may sound decent, but when you consider that the average rent is about $1,300 a month, you can see the realities single parents face as they try to keep their children clothed and fed. The same is true for widows and other elderly believers on a fixed income.
The “least” of Yeshua’s brothers and sisters are often overlooked and forgotten in Israeli society. But in the kingdom of God, Yeshua said the first shall be last, and the last shall be first.
We want to reach out to the poor, the vulnerable, the widows, and the orphans FIRST in 2022. So, please join us in blessing these Israeli brothers and sisters in Yeshua! Your gift to a single parent or fatherless child is like water in the desert.
It’s not much different than in the days of Paul. When the Jewish believers in Israel were suffering, he turned to believers in the nations…and they came through.
“Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” (Romans 15: 25-27)
Let’s stand together and say I Am With Israel. Let’s bless those in need! Thank you.
Until all Israel is saved (Romans 11:26),
Ron Cantor
Director, #IAmWithIsrael
