My word gives very clear teaching that you are to care for the poor. If they need money and you give money to organizations chartered to help them, does that allow you to fulfill this commandment without coming into direct contact with the poor? I do not pose this question to condemn you. Giving money is more than lip service. It is putting your money where your mouth is. Organizations can help you to be as wise as serpents to make your giving effective and avoid being taken advantage of. Just don’t allow this to be a substitute for direct personal contact with those in need. 

Have you ever heard Christians voice a longing to have lived when I lived, and walked with me then? My word gives the account of those who followed me during my time on earth, and records my words to them, that it was better that I go away. How could this be better? I told them that I would send the Comforter to them, and I did. They were with me when I was here, and this was good, but I told them that it was better still to have the presence of the Spirit of Truth living in them. Do you understand that this applies to you as well? Remind yourself of this whenever you wish to live and walk with me, because you do. 

Do you behave differently when other people are watching than when you are alone? Most people will admit to doing better when they are observed. You know that I am always watching, but the presence of other people still makes a difference. Do you know that I am not the only one who sees everything? For I declared that you are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. You may think of them as spectators as you run your race. They have already run theirs, and now they are in the stands cheering you on. I spoke of a time when every man’s work would be manifested and tried. This process is already in progress. 

I had some strong words for the Pharisees. Do you pass over these because they don’t apply to you? The Pharisees were a Jewish sect that was active for a relatively short period of time in the scope of history. You won’t find anyone claiming that name today, but in my time they were the religious establishment, as you are in your own generation. Those in this position are prone to certain faults and failings. The Bible was written for you rather than for them. Are you willing to revisit my remarks to them in a broader sense to see if you may avoid the same errors for which I criticized them?