Help for the Weak and Needy
Scripture: Acts 20:35 (ESV)
35 In all things I
have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember
the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give
than to receive.’ ”
Devotion:
These words from the Book of Acts
serve as a direct challenge to each one of us in the church community. As
followers of Christ, we bear a significant responsibility in our current
society, where the number of needy people can be overwhelming. We often find
ourselves, like the lawyer in Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, trying to
limit the number and kind of people who qualify for our “compassion.” However,
this scripture reminds us that it is our duty, as followers of Christ, to help
the weak and needy, regardless of their number or circumstances.
Confronted with this scriptural
truth, we may feel overwhelmed and inadequate. How do we even begin to provide
for the vast throngs of the weak, sick, and hurting people in our country
today? It's important to remember that we are not called to solve all the
world's problems on our own. Giving our money alone can never solve this
problem. While we are called to be generous, cheerful givers, we must realize
that even if the wealthiest people in America were to give 100% of their wealth
to needy people, there would still be poor and needy people out there. We need
to remember the words of Jesus, “the poor you will always have with you, and
you can help them whenever you wish.”(Matthew 26:11). What, then, are we to do
for all the weak people we see each day? We are called to do what we can, and
trust in God's sovereignty and provision.
The first step in solving this
problem is individual and corporate prayer, not just for the weak and needy,
but also for ourselves. We need to beseech God for wisdom to see what part of
the issue He may be calling us to address. Prayer is not just a passive act,
but an active one that aligns our hearts and minds with God's will. God’s body
on earth, the church, comprises many members, each with a specific function or
calling. Each local body will have a separate and unique job regarding the
ministry of compassion. Sometimes, churches may be called to be united in
confronting some injustice that affects an entire community. Regardless, each
ministry must be shaped by the cross through prayer.
When we are confronted with the
overwhelming state of so many in the world, we must remember that our God is
bigger than the world’s problems. On an individual level, we may feel limited
in what we can do. However, that is no excuse to do nothing. The urgency of the
situation should compel us to provide shelter for people experiencing
homelessness, feed those who hunger, and ensure that the sick get the medical
attention they need, both physically and mentally. We do these things on an
individual basis while participating in the work of Christ in the community.
Let us pray and seek God’s will to be His agents of change, driven by our
compassion for the weak and needy.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the modern means
of communication that enable us to see and communicate with those worldwide. We
are aware of so much need around the world that we would never see. Now, with the
press of a button on our remote control, the world’s problems are on full
display. Remind us, Lord, that you are bigger than all of the wants and needs
of this world. At the same time, it energizes us to help directly by giving
time, talent, and treasure or indirectly by prayer. May the way Christians
respond to the world’s ills be a powerful testimony and an invitation to others
to join in this work. Amen
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