Day Two -- Caring for Those in Need

Today we look at the values of Charity and Working to Help Others

How we live out our Christian faith is important. A pillar in our faith is the belief of charity towards others; taking a part of your own surplus and sharing it with others, especially the needy, but as an expression of your faith for God alone to see.We are called to a life of giving, Just as God gave to the earth His son, so we are to be givers and people that help those less fortunate than we are. Giving to the Food Pantry, helping the poor, visiting and praying with the sick, these are all acts of charity, and they are good.

We must fight the sin of the flesh that goes against giving. We must fight greed. All kinds of greed, which Jesus warns about, reflect a possessiveness about life. A perspective on life that is false. Possessions, whether few or many, will not be the answer to what life is about. Having things does not bring lasting happiness. Greed wishes us to think so. But it will just tie us up in knots. Positive emotions that we experience in life flow from life-giving and life-expanding sources. May we experience life, full life in Christ, and have it abundantly.

Certainly, we live in a culture of terrible greed and avarice. Too many people have become slaves to money and power, doing all that we can to acquire more. And when we are slaves to money, we cannot be servants to God. “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and money.” (Luke 16:13)

What does Jesus say we should do instead? We should store up our treasures in heaven:

Matthew 6: 20-21

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Success can be measured in many ways, dependent upon whom you are and the culture you live in. Having material wealth often is viewed as a sign of accomplishment and is supposed to offer us security and freedom. Jesus however teaches otherwise. We are given the responsibility for our environment and our place in the world, and the next person and we are stewards, not owners, of the goods entrusted to us, both material or spiritual.

The Bible teaches us to trust in God for daily needs and to use his gifts to us as good stewards of his world. If we listen to His word and follow His instruction, we shall accomplish His purpose. Treasure will come to us in heaven. It will be beyond our imaginations. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:9: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” On that promise we can depend.

We are called to truly submit to His will and put our own wishes and thoughts in line with His thoughts. May the Holy Spirit help You to clearly see God’s will for your life and may you be a giver, and not a taker, a person of charity and not greed.

I Pray for that God will bless your richly,from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet, and everywhere your feet may walk. May the Spirit Guide your thoughts and deeds to fulfill God’s purpose and plan for your life and the life of your community and your church. In Jesus Name, Amen.