To walk rightly before the Lord, we need to know what He says about the matters of life, so that we seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) and do not go to extremes by denying someone the right to have us by their side. Those called by the Most High to do His will must serve Him first!

If we interpret the Bible according to our own thinking, we can twist it, even though, in the eyes of man, we may be right. Let us examine Jesus' words in the light of the revelation of the Spirit of God: But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7.11-13). Failing to help your parents in order to give an offering to the Lord is dangerous.

Let's look at these verses: Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (Matthew 8.21, 22). Just as marriage ends with the death of one of the spouses, the obligation to care for our parents also ends with their death. It is lawful to pay someone to replace us in everything!

Our culture says that mourning the dead shows love for them. But why mourn the lifeless body when the main parts, the soul and spirit, are gone? It is useless to cry, pray, or beg God to give the deceased a good place in eternity because, in life, each person determines where they will go by their choices. No request concerning a deceased person will be granted. We must preach the Gospel to the living!

While people are alive, they must choose whom to serve, for when they die, their destiny will be sealed. God has no grandchildren, only children. Those who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven and remain there forever. However, those who do not give up their lives to the Savior, or who accept Him but continue to sin without repenting, will be outside of Heaven (John 3:36).

Those who neglect God's work, claiming that their parents are elderly but not caring for them, are acting wrongly, for they could keep them close to them and continue to proclaim the Gospel. The lost need to repent and be born again. They need care in the faith so that they will not suffer for eternity. God will hold us accountable if we abandon them. Jesus said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?” (Matthew 12.48).

Jesus called Martha twice to get her attention because she was anxious. The Bible says that we should cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). In addition to being restless, Martha was busy with many things, distracted with much serving (Luke 10.40), so she complained about Mary sitting at Jesus' feet and leaving her to serve alone. Be careful! Pray!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares