Tuesday May 1, 2012

Make it your goal  today to give something to someone worse off than you

 

Read Deuteronomy 15:4-5;  Acts 4:32-35

 

I remember well challenging a group of elders about poor relief in their church. Between this small number of men, they had agreed to give $40,000 towards the rebuilding of the church. Feeling confident of their generosity, I asked them to pledge funds towards the poor relief that the church was involved in. Can you guess how much money was raised from that group of elders? $0.

 

At another group of church goers, I suggested that we provide housing for the  homeless - a ministry that was developing rapidly within that church. Houses were available. Rooms were there, ready to use. But the discussion turned to teaching the homeless and guiding them so that they don’t need a home from the church. The group quickly refused to give homes and rooms for the needy because it would perpetuate their lifestyle or ‘irresponsibility’.

 

At still another church, I suggested that the church feed the poor in the streets and parks. The leadership was adamant that such a ministry was in conflict with the ethos of the church and would not be productive. It was, they said, effectively a waste of time. Praise God the ministry started anyway.

 

It’s sad that for every 1 story of church generosity I can think of 5 or 10 stories of church non-generosity. Yet in the newly formed church we see the people so in love with Jesus that those who are able to sell land or houses or things, do so and give the money to the Apostles to distribute as they see fit. There was a no strings attached policy to their giving. There were no needy persons among the church. People were in love with Jesus. They were not in love with things.

 

Imagine what a message of love and Christ-likeness such a church would send out to the world today. Imagine what a church that practically and financially cares for its members will communicate to the world. Imagine how

many people will see us as Jesus’ disciples as we love each other as Christ has loved us. Imagine how many people might come to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour as you and your church live in Jesus-affirming generosity.

 

Prayer:

¥ Pray that God would be using our generosity to bring many to Christ Jesus. Pray that the world would see the church as its meant to be seen - a group of people who love Jesus more than they love things and money.

¥ Pray for our brothers and sisters in Laos and Vietnam - they face economic sanctions, expulsion from villages, fines and even jail terms for believing in Christ. Pray that Christians would be generous towards these believers in prayer and support. Pray that God would continue to use these men and women and children to grow His kingdom.