“DO GOOD UNTO ALL MEN”
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Our goal is to always be like Jesus (Phil. 2:5). The scriptures reveal, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him” (Acts 10:38). Most folks want to do good and help others. Every congregation has a benevolent program of some sort. Most of the time it is a food pantry and members bring items and keep it stocked for the needy and downtrodden. Food pantries aren’t used as much today as in the past. Let me illustrate:
The preacher receives a phone call at the office or someone knocks on the church door and the person is requesting help. How can we help? Generally it is money the person is wanting. Gas money, rent money, money for utilities. When you refuse to give them money (Not because you don’t want to help but most times your resources are limited) and offer them food they decline. Food stamps have replaced the church pantry in many cases.
Our elders have a policy, always offer and give food to anyone. We have the words of Paul to do good to all. The Old Testament taught benevolence. In Israel they were commanded, “And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God” (Lev. 18:9-10). Solomon wrote, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again” (Prov. 19:17). That’s impressive. When you help someone you are lending to the Lord. David addressed this in the Psalms when he penned, “Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble” (Ps. 41:1). So there is no doubt about our responsibility to help the poor.
That responsibility becomes even greater when it comes to our brethren. Remember Paul wrote about doing good to all he and included this, “…Especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). James and John also taught on the subject. James wrote, “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit (Jam. 2:15-16)? James wrote this, “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” (1 John 3:17)?
One thing which can be said of our brethren is that they are a generous people in helping those in need.
Larry