(Editor's note: The Hebrew notion of Salvation (Deliverance) included much more than forgiveness and eternal life. Salvation meant freedom from debt, worry, fear and sickness. Power over enemies, total victory and possession of a land was integral to the concept. Today many believers have been put off by hyper-prosperity teaching. This teaching may have been responsible for many believers retreating entirely from the True Gospel, which portrays CREATOR as SUPPLIER!
Sharing
Sharing Our Resources I
want to talk about something that has bugged me since I came to know JESUS
as my SAVIOR! I am
talking today about giving to the poor and needy! This is something that really
needs to be discussed! The
church in general talks a lot about giving, I believe. That is because it is an
important subject. As you know from the former Friday Supply Editions, the Word
places a great emphasis on giving. And
I believe with all my heart that JESUS
wants HIS church buildings
paid for. I believe HE
wants HIS Word-deliverers, and
People-Caretakers well paid! But
I believe we may be failing in the taking care of the poor. I believe that it is a
shame of Christianity (if I am correct). I believe that I am a part of this shame, so
don't even send me any yell-mail! I
live in America. I know that there are hungry people in this country. I know
that some are little children. Some live in economically depressed areas.
Some have mothers and fathers that are crack-addicts - whatever the reason. They
are our responsibility! That's right. They are not the government's
responsibility! They are the responsibility of the Church. Now
I will state an opinion. We have beautiful buildings that are called churches
(they are not, but they sometimes hold the church) and we have starving people.
This is not right. JESUS
wants us to feed and clothe and give shelter to the poor around us. In my area we
have homeless people begging at intersections. This is a great way to give to the
poor. They are poor. They have needs. Many are alcoholics. OK.
I know the criticism is that they will use the money fro wrong purposes. Well, I
think many times that is an excuse for not giving. What if FATHER
placed them there to make it easy for the average driver to give to the poor? Well,
it's just one way. There are others. I believe the best ways involve hands
on and not sending a check to a "third party organization." That's just
my feeling. There is an instant reward when we refresh someone and share our
resources (blessings from FATHER)
with them! And there is a delayed-gratification style heavenly reward. But
there is a right here - right now blessing, too! Take advantage of it. Let's
be children of our FATHER who,
like HIM, love and give
comfort to those in need! |