This past Sunday at Sassafras Baptist Church, we celebrated more than full baskets—we embraced a deeper call to live generously and love boldly. I had the privilege of sharing message titled “From Gratitude to Action: Living the Harvest Through Love,” reminding us that true thanksgiving leads to compassion, especially for those struggling with food insecurity in our own communities. Jesus’ words, “You will always have the poor among you,” aren’t a call to resignation—they’re a call to respond. Let’s be known by our love, and let that love move us to action.
Good morning, dear friends—and welcome to this blessed Harvest Sunday here at Sassafras Baptist Church.
Today is a day of celebration—a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the abundance that God has so graciously provided.
On a lighter note, I once read in an agricultural journal:
“Some people are so thankful for a harvest they didn’t plant, they offer God advice on how He should run next season.”
There’s a bit of truth in the humour, isn’t there? But today, sincerely, we gather in gratitude. And with that gratitude comes a sacred responsibility—to care for and to share the abundance we’ve received, especially with those in need.
This morning, we’re reminded that we are part of something far greater than ourselves. Across Tasmania—and beyond—there are people, churches, and communities who, like us, are seeking to live out love in action.
Many are followers of Jesus, committed to serving as His hands and feet. Others may not share our faith, but they share our humanity—our longing to see dignity restored, hope rekindled, and needs met. And in that shared space of compassion, we find common ground.
Through the work of Loaves and Fishes Tasmania, and through countless quiet acts of kindness, people from all walks of life—pastors, volunteers, community workers, business owners, young people, retirees—are standing shoulder to shoulder. They’re growing food, delivering meals, listening to stories, showing up in crisis, and reminding others they are not forgotten.
We may not all believe the same things, but we are walking together in love—and that, too, is holy ground.
As Christians, our unity in Christ compels us to lead the way in service—not with a spirit of superiority, but with open arms and open hearts. Because the love of God is never exclusive, and the call to do justice and love mercy invites everyone to the table.
Jesus said in John 13:34–35:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
It’s not our words, our buildings, or our traditions that make the Gospel visible—it’s our love. Love that reaches out, steps in, and stays with people in their need.
When we serve together—across churches, communities, and even belief systems—we reflect something of heaven on earth. And in that unity, rooted in grace, we are making a real, lasting difference. That kind of unity is not just powerful—it’s prophetic.
As we face real and pressing social challenges in our communities today, we are not called to retreat or to despair—but to respond. With faith. With unity. And with action.
Food Insecurity in Tasmania
Before we go any further, I want us to pause and face a sobering reality.
As of today—23 March 2025—more than 105,000 Tasmanians—one in five—are expected to experience food insecurity. That’s families, children, and elderly people—right here in our own neighbourhoods—who won’t have enough to eat.
And let’s be honest: most of us don’t know what real hunger feels like. We just know that feeling when we open a full fridge and say,
“There’s nothing in here I feel like eating.”
But this isn’t about inconvenience—it’s about survival. This is about people. Our neighbours. Fellow Tasmanians.
Into that space, Loaves and Fishes Tasmania is bringing hope. We’re not just delivering food—we’re working to restore dignity, offer encouragement, and live out the love of Christ in real, practical ways.
Right now, we’re supporting more than 16,000 people every week across Tasmania.
And this work is about far more than meals. It’s about making people feel seen, valued, and loved. It’s about reminding them they are not forgotten.
And here’s the good news: this is something we can all be part of. By standing with others, offering what we have, and choosing to show up with kindness, courage, and a willingness to make a difference.
….. But while we give thanks today, we also need to face something real—our own attitudes.
Our Attitude Towards the Poor and Marginalised
This brings us to the heart of the message I want to share with you today.
As we celebrate Harvest Sunday, we’re also invited to examine our own hearts—especially in how we view and respond to those who are struggling.
Harvest Sunday isn’t about congratulating ourselves. I believe the Holy Spirit has placed something on my heart—something that might stir you, as it has stirred me. It’s a word I hope we’ll continue to wrestle with, long after this service ends.
Let’s turn to Matthew 26:11, where Jesus says:
“You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
At first glance, this verse might seem to suggest that Jesus is downplaying the importance of helping the poor—as if poverty is inevitable, and not worth trying to fix.
But I believe that, when we look closer, we find that Jesus is calling us not to apathy—but to action. Not to resignation—but to compassion.
Understanding the Context of Matthew 26
To grasp the full meaning of Jesus’ words, we need to consider the setting. Matthew 26 takes place during what we now call Holy Week—the final days before Jesus’ crucifixion.
Jesus knew what lay ahead—betrayal, suffering, and death. And in those days, He began to speak of what truly mattered: sacrifice, devotion, and the Kingdom of God.
At that moment, a woman approached and poured expensive perfume over His head. Some of the disciples objected: “This could have been sold, and the money given to the poor!” But Jesus, knowing their hearts, responded:
“You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
This wasn’t Jesus dismissing the poor. It was a reminder that devotion to Him comes first—but true devotion always spills over into love for others.
1 – Understand the Why Behind the What
Some might say, “Well, poverty’s always going to be with us. Jesus said it Himself.”
It becomes easy to shrug our shoulders. To think: “Don’t worry too much about poverty and injustice—it’s always going to be there.”
And worse still, sometimes we hear people say: “If someone’s poor in a country like ours, with all our welfare systems, they’ve probably brought it on themselves.”
Perhaps, like me, you’ve experienced that sort of response—that quiet dismissal. That verse from Matthew 26 has been used by many to try to dampen the fire for justice. To take the wind out of the sails of those trying to make a difference.
But I believe Jesus was actually saying the opposite.
Jesus was challenging religious mindsets and highlighting the urgency of generosity. He was quoting from Deuteronomy 15:11, a well-known passage from the Torah—one that every Jewish listener would have recognised immediately:
“If there are any poor among you… do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted… Instead, be generous… Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly… There will always be poor in the land. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with others in need.”
Jesus wasn’t excusing apathy—He was reinforcing the command to care.
So what does that mean for us?
- We need to understand what God’s Word actually says.
- We need to be informed about the realities people face.
- And we need to understand the “why behind the what.”
Story shared – A heartbreaking story from a friend of mine, who had to bury a close friend — a single mum, two children, with a job, left a note something like this : “I can’t take it anymore. I can’t feed my kids or meet their needs.”
Understand the why behind the what ?
2 – Don’t Be a Judas in Our Attitude Toward the Poor
In John 12:3–8, we read a similar account. This time, it’s Judas Iscariot who objects to the perfume being poured out on Jesus. He says: “The money should have gone to the poor.”
But Scripture tells us the truth: Judas didn’t care about the poor. He was a thief—stealing from the common purse while pretending to be virtuous.
Let’s be honest—sometimes we fall into the same trap.
When we use spiritual-sounding excuses to avoid generosity or compassion, we mirror Judas’ attitude. When we protect our own interests while ignoring the needs of others, we’re not walking in the way of Jesus.
We need to check our hearts:
- Are we making excuses?
- Are we pretending to care, but protecting ourselves?
3 – Really Love
Paul’s words in Romans 12:9–21 are both powerful and practical:
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them… Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good… When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them… Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
This is what love looks like in action.
- It’s not shallow.
- It’s not performative.
- It’s not occasional.
It’s real. It’s responsive. It’s active. And it’s the kind of love that reflects the heart of Jesus.
Call to Action – Pray to Action
On this Harvest Sunday, I invite you to listen for the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Ask:
“Lord, how do You want me to respond?”
This isn’t about guilt—it’s about love. It’s not just about giving money or time—it’s about shifting our posture:
- From passive reflection to active compassion.
- From comfort to courage.
- From thinking to doing.
That might mean supporting Loaves and Fishes. It might mean checking in on someone. It might mean stopping to pray with a stranger.
Whatever it looks like—let love lead.
Conclusion
As we thank God for His provision today, let’s remember: Harvest Sunday isn’t just about what we receive—it’s about what we give.
Let us be His hands and feet. Let us live with eyes wide open to need, and hearts wide open to grace.
Let us go from this place not just as hearers of the Word—but as doers. Living out the love of Christ, in our homes, our streets, our communities, and beyond.
Amen.