whoever is not against us is for us

Gospel of Mark 9:38-50
John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.’ But Jesus said, ‘Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterwards to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
Temptations to Sin
‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
 ‘For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.’

I received a letter from the church of the Latter Day Saints this week, on official letterhead.  It was directed to me and the ministry of hospitality we call "Peter's Porch".  At Peter's Porch we serve breakfast and give out food, clothing, and other essentials to financially-struggling families in our community.  The letter from the Mormons offered to partner with us in our ministry by donating $1,000 worth of food to our food pantry.  My first cynical thought was, “What is this? The Mormons?  Are they trying to improve their reputation or give an impression for the sake of their candidate?”  Awful, I know.  Maybe they want to be generous. Maybe they want to help.