What defines a church? We gather together and share the gospel. We sing and worship together. We celebrate our joys and we also share our sorrows. As the body of Christ, we share these things together. It is easy to join with someone when things are good. Who doesn’t like to celebrate? But what about the sorrows of others? Are we sharing these too?
Paul wrote to the church in Corinth reminding them that we share in the joy of Christ, but we also share our grievances. We are comforted by God and in turn, we are to pass on that comfort to others.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4(KJV)
It is our duty to not only share the gospel of Christ, but also to care for the needs of our brothers and sisters. My dear heart, this is honoring God. Who are we to sit in comfort while we know people are suffering?
I have seen many Christians who brag about the material things they have. Be it a big fancy house, expensive cars or lots of “likes” on social media, they actually boast about these things forgetting that they have them to share. Some even brag about their gifts or talents and misuse them.
Oh, what wretched man are we? Right?
Beloved, let us not forget that if our talents or gifts are not used in service to God, they are used in vain. Paul says that if we boast about anything, it should be the fact that we behave with Godly sincerity (2 Corinthians 10:17). This is not meant to say they we are self-righteous. Not one of us is without fault. But we show the world a good example. We show the world the holy spirit within us.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Colossians 3:23-25
There is truly no excuse to turn our less fortunate brothers and sisters away. The smallest act of charity can mean life or death to a person. You never know. I say again, helping those in need is service to our Father.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[f] you did it to me.’
Matthew 25: 34-40
Over the weekend, my friends and I were feeding the homeless downtown. As we interacted with these people, I could not help but to wonder, why these circumstances exist. Why are so many people in the world suffering? What can we do about it? My son must have read my mind because just as he finished handing out bottles of water, he turned to me and said, “Mom, why can’t we just build this big apartment building and let the homeless live there?”
Oh, the simplicity of a child. Amen?
But as one man told us his story, my friend Amber reminded us that any one of us could be in the same situation at any given time. Life has no special picks. And as much as some Christians like to believe it, God also has no favorites.
Now, I wasn’t feeling my best on Sunday. But I went anyway, because my desire is to help in any way that I can. I don’t have much but anyone who knows me, know that all that I have is open to anyone in need.
We are blessed to share our blessings with others. The Holy Spirit that lives in each of us should not allow us to turn a blind eye to any of those who are in spiritual or physical need.
To our brothers and sisters who are suffering, do not loose heart.
2 Corinthians 4:16
