The predictions of the onetime professor of political science at Harvard University, Samuel Huntington, seem to be coming true. You may remember that in his book, The Clash of Civilizations, he contended that in the 21st century there were great possibilities for a catastrophic World War between the Islamic world and those Western societies, which have been highly influenced by the Judeo-Christian belief systems. The emergence of radical Islam as expressed especially in ISIS seems to validate his thesis, but there is something Christians can do that will enable us to be a countervailing influence against such a tragedy. We can choose to sponsor children in Muslim countries. For about $1.25 a day you can feed, cloth, educate, provide clean water and even medical help for a Muslim child. In so doing, you can show our Muslim friends something of Christ’s love.
Radical Muslims have described Western nations and especially Christians as enemies, but the Bible tells us that when our enemy is hungry we should feed and clothe and give water and bless our enemies and in so doing counteract their evil (Romans 12:2b). Jesus specifically said we should overcome evil with good.
Why not contact World Vision if you live in Canada, Australia or abroad? If you live in the US support a child through Feed the Children. Whichever of these good ministries you contact, specify that you want to support child in a Muslim country. This is carrying out the admonitions of Jesus in Matthew 25:31-46.
There are some child sponsorship programs that will have nothing to do with sponsoring children unless they are in a church. I suppose their evangelistic concerns can be justified in the minds of some people, but not for me. When a child is in need I do not ask about the child’s religious affiliation, and I don’t think any of us should. I believe we should respond to children in need as Jesus told us to do in Matthew 25, where he told us that whatever we do “to the least of these”, we do to Him.
Red Letter Christians are committed to living out the words of Jesus; and Jesus calls upon us to do what we can do for needy children – even if they are the children of people who call themselves our enemies.