Ministering to Those in Need

What is our purpose in this world?

To those who know the truth, it is simple. We are to love one another and to love God. While this may seem simple, it isn’t always easy. When someone cuts us off in traffic, it can be hard to love them. When someone speaks rudely to our faces, it is hard to love them. However, when we choose to not love those who hate us, we fail our mission.

Love for Enemies

Matthew 5:43-48

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

So we see that we must love who hate us, and who we are tempted to hate. So what does it mean to love someone? It means to truly care for them, for their lives, for their unique situations. Each person we see has their own struggles that they face, day in, and day out. We need to have compassion on them, and help them wheresoever our abilities allow us. By helping those in need, we glorify God, and show his love for everyone. More souls have been saved by the love of God than by condemnation. If we truly care about someone, we will want to help them to find God and the salvation of Jesus Christ. When we care about them, when we are truly interested in their lives, the person will take notice. They will be curious what inspires you to help them. That is your opportunity to share the Gospel. Because everything you have belongs to God, you can give freely. When we trust in God, he provides.

Giving to the Needy

Matthew 6:1-4

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Do these things because you are commanded by God. Do not do them to show your friends how good of a Christian you are, or so you can make it to heaven. When you truly care about someone, these types of things will come naturally. If you see someone sitting on a street corning, begging for food, you will give him a sandwich, because your compassion will understand what it means to be hungry, or to not have a roof over your head.

We encourage you to always be on the look out for those you can help. You never know when you may save someone’s life, or share the gospel.