A Week of Fin - 4
‘What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.’
James 2:14-17
Over Christmas I’ve been thinking about God's compassion for people in need and disadvantage. It’s made me reflect on my role as a disability support worker, where to be honest, I struggle to feel and act on the same compassion God has. It’s one of my sins to be selfish like this; sometimes I just wanna laze around work and pile up my NDIS moolar. How about you?
Jesus could never be clearer that this is not the heart He desires for us. Not a selfish heart, but a selfless and lowly one.
Like James says, true faith in Jesus should mimic His acts of love and care for people, particularly those who are vulnerable. This compassion is what His Kingdom is built on, so if we are to pursue it, we must give our best efforts to be like Christ.
In comparison to what Man's kingdom preaches, The kingdom of God is like a reverse wheel of fortune. Just listen to Jesus:
“so the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16)
And
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11)
It’s quite evident that God desires us to humble ourselves and put others first. In other words, live sacrificially and selflessly. Give your time, energy, and money to someone who needs it more than you.
Think again when you make that next online purchase: do I really need this? Could I be buying food or shelter for someone instead? Or, maybe I shouldn’t be slacking off at work so much?
You see, it’s easy to forget that our selfishness is deeply rooted in money. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying to stop buying things for your own pleasure. It’s one of the great gifts and joys God has given.
I bring up money because it’s probably the least thing we give generously. The question is, could we do less for ourselves and more for others? Absolutely.
In the end, what good is our money if the moth and Vermin will destroy it? (Matthew 6:19) One day here and the next day gone. That’s more reason to use it like Jesus asks us to.
Sacrificial giving is easier said than done, I know. But this is why we need to keep remembering our God who in overflowing compassion, sacrificed everything for the sake of His needy and deprived children. For us to be exalted, He humbled Himself even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).
Ultimately, the best gift we can give is the news of Jesus. What makes someone poor is not their lack of material possessions, but their lack of Christ’s salvation. Therefore, let us have compassion on both those materially and spiritually impoverished. No matter who, we all need Jesus.
My last encouragement for today is to give, because Jesus gave first.
For today
Pray
James 2:14-17
Over Christmas I’ve been thinking about God's compassion for people in need and disadvantage. It’s made me reflect on my role as a disability support worker, where to be honest, I struggle to feel and act on the same compassion God has. It’s one of my sins to be selfish like this; sometimes I just wanna laze around work and pile up my NDIS moolar. How about you?
Jesus could never be clearer that this is not the heart He desires for us. Not a selfish heart, but a selfless and lowly one.
Like James says, true faith in Jesus should mimic His acts of love and care for people, particularly those who are vulnerable. This compassion is what His Kingdom is built on, so if we are to pursue it, we must give our best efforts to be like Christ.
In comparison to what Man's kingdom preaches, The kingdom of God is like a reverse wheel of fortune. Just listen to Jesus:
“so the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16)
And
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11)
It’s quite evident that God desires us to humble ourselves and put others first. In other words, live sacrificially and selflessly. Give your time, energy, and money to someone who needs it more than you.
Think again when you make that next online purchase: do I really need this? Could I be buying food or shelter for someone instead? Or, maybe I shouldn’t be slacking off at work so much?
You see, it’s easy to forget that our selfishness is deeply rooted in money. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying to stop buying things for your own pleasure. It’s one of the great gifts and joys God has given.
I bring up money because it’s probably the least thing we give generously. The question is, could we do less for ourselves and more for others? Absolutely.
In the end, what good is our money if the moth and Vermin will destroy it? (Matthew 6:19) One day here and the next day gone. That’s more reason to use it like Jesus asks us to.
Sacrificial giving is easier said than done, I know. But this is why we need to keep remembering our God who in overflowing compassion, sacrificed everything for the sake of His needy and deprived children. For us to be exalted, He humbled Himself even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).
Ultimately, the best gift we can give is the news of Jesus. What makes someone poor is not their lack of material possessions, but their lack of Christ’s salvation. Therefore, let us have compassion on both those materially and spiritually impoverished. No matter who, we all need Jesus.
My last encouragement for today is to give, because Jesus gave first.
For today
- Is there someone you know that’s in need of money, love, food, friendship? How could you help them?
- Are you being selfless with your money?
- Do you feel compassion for people who don’t know Jesus?
Pray
- Thank God for not only feeling compassion for us, but acting on it through Jesus’ death
- Ask God to help you be less selfish and consider others in need
- Thank God that He gives generously even though we don’t deserve it. Ask for help to reflect the same generosity
Posted in A Week of Fin
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