When we treat God’s representatives a particular way, does God treat it personally? What about the way we treat (or mistreat) random people? Is that treatment only connected to that individual, or does it also echo into how we are treating God?

Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble. The Lord protects them and keeps them alive. He gives them prosperity in the land and rescues them from their enemies. The Lord nurses them when they are sick and restores them to health. – Psalm 41:1-3

Compare this atmosphere to the person who mistreats the poor:

For he refused all kindness to others; he persecuted the poor and needy, and he hounded the brokenhearted to death.He loved to curse others; now you curse him. He never blessed others; now don’t you bless him. Cursing is as natural to him as his clothing, or the water he drinks, or the rich food he eats. Now may his curses return and cling to him like clothing; may they be tied around him like a belt.” – Psalm 109:16-19

Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. – Proverbs 14:31

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. – Proverbs 19:17

Samuel felt rejected by Israel. The Lord told him that they were actually rejecting Him as their king. – 1 Samuel 8:7

When the people of Israel rebel against Moses and Aaron, Moses informs the crowd that they are actually rebelling against the Lord. – Numbers 16:1-3,11

What about cheaters? We often feel deep emotions towards the involved parties. We even feel certain ideas regarding how we would feel if we had been in their places. Have we as often considered how the situation affects God? Does the Lord have any reason to feel any personal emotions when cheating occurs?

Our bodies belong to God, and He has some ideas on how we use it. – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Jesus tells the crowd about the first and great commandment. It details the quantity and quality of love a person must have for God. The second commandment details the extent of love for ones neighbor. What does Jesus mean when He second that the second is like the first? What does this imply about Heaven’s priorities? What does our response reveal about our own priorities?