So much suffering_so little help
Open your eyes, there is much need
Money, money, money, ain’t it funny
Money is one of those things that some will say, “Makes the world go ‘round”.
Well it certainly is something we all need and do depend on to some degree or another.
There are some who have none or very little and others who have more than they can ever spend.
Those who live in the world with worldly values will strive to get as much as they can, their entire existence is based on money and what they can buy with it.
Then there are those who are living according to their Faith, those who believe that God is our Father and everything belongs to Him.
We have cults who demand that everything their congregation has is to go to them.
But these are not the people I want to focus on today in this blog.
The Christian
Christians understand, or should understand that, “The love of money is the root of all evil”. 1 Timothy 6:10 King James Version (KJV)
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Let us not misunderstand this verse. It states that the love of money is the root of all evil. We must understand that while we are living on earth that we need a means to purchase goods and support ourselves, and that at this time it is money.
As we understand that money is ok to have, we need it at this time during our time on this planet. We work to get paid so we can buy what we need. Sometimes we buy what we want. However, let us make sure we have our priorities in order. We must not be selfish and wasteful or greedy.
Everything we have and get is from the Lord:
1 Corinthians 10:26 King James Version (KJV)
26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
Psalm 89:11 King James Version (KJV)
11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.
Everything belongs to the Lord, yes even your money. If we honestly believe every word in the Bible then we will believe that this is also true.
God gives to us, not to hoard, not to be wasteful with but to help others, to do as Jesus did and that is to minister to the lost and to spread the gospel all around the world so that all mankind will hear it and be saved. Ministry and missions cost money. By giving to the church, even just one tenth helps to do the work the Lord has called us all to.
Jesus gave everything, He gave His life, so why is it so hard for some humans to give a small amount?
Genesis 14:19-20 King James Version (KJV)
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
Mark 12:41-44 King James Version (KJV)
41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living
I say this; if God gives to us and He owns everything we have and if we care about His ministry and those who are in need, then why do some make excuses not to give?
I have read many arguments from people who vehemently wrote things opposing tithing. I understand what we are told about this in the Bible. Again, this is not about tithing, but more about cheerfully giving.
Don’t look at it as losing something; look at it as doing what the Lord wants. He wants us to be givers, to freely give. If you were in need, would you want someone to help you or would you want them to say, “I am not required to give”.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 King James Version (KJV)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
On this earth, especially in western culture we are programmed from very young to get stuff, to look out for self, to build a bloated bank account. We are told we need the newest items and the biggest homes. But what about the hungry, the homeless, the unemployed, the sick?
“I want a newer and bigger home” says one man while there are homeless in his town.
“I want a new car” says another man while another is wearing holes in his shoes just to walk to work (and in some countries many are shoeless)
“I don’t eat leftovers” says one person, “Throw it out” while many people go to bed hungry and malnourished.
Do you get where I’m going with this?
How dare we not give, even a small amount, whether it is a tenth or more. How dare we not help those in need.
If Jesus stood before you right now, what would He see? A faithful child of God who thinks of others before self? A cheerful giver whose heart breaks at the suffering?
Proverbs 14:21 King James Version (KJV)
21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he
Proverbs 14:31 King James Version (KJV)
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
Proverbs 28:27 King James Version (KJV)
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
1 John 3:17 King James Version (KJV)
17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
We can not take anything with us when our earthly bodies die. Everything we have here on earth, all our worldly possessions are meaningless. Think about it.
What kind of a memory of yourself will you leave for others to remember you as, what is your legacy? Is it of a person of many possessions but selfish? Is it of a person who gave much and helped many?
God gave all, He sent His son to earth knowing Jesus will give his everything, He will give His life so that we may live.
There are a great many who are suffering, they need help and they need Jesus. Will you help?
Pray about it.
Other ways to give: give of your time, such as give a person a drive or help them clean their house or spend time with people who don't have anyone else around, or give from your garden etc. there are many ways to give. Giving of oneself shows the Love of Jesus to them. Sometimes that is all a person needs and it makes a huge difference in a person's life.
let me leave you with this question, "If a person is in need, why would you, a follower of Christ Jesus not want to help?"
There are many people at home and abroad who are in need.
(Before social assistance--welfare and disability, food banks, soup kitchens and homeless shelters as we have today, the Church filled the need as it should be)
Pray, Read, Repeat
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
