The recent inflation will put pressure on the finances of the less-well-to-do families, which are already struggling to make ends meet. But inflation is only one of the many challenges in life. In church, some are facing health issues, some family problems, and others face challenges related to work and studies. I want us all to be aware of the needs of our brothers and sisters-in-Christ. “But everyone smiles in church!” We experience joy as we meet weekly in church. Christian warmth brings a smile to our face. The joy of the Lord, truly, is our strength. But this does not mean all is well despite the joy Christians have that defies understanding. There are needy people around us. We have a responsibility to the Lord to provide help and strength. Let me suggest some things we can do to help each other.
First, pray. Know who are facing challenges. Thank God for the church prayer meeting, Sunday School, and fellowship/cell-group meetings when we can share our needs. If you attend this church regularly, you have a responsibility to pray for others in this church. Do you pray for the Christians in this church? If you love God’s church (and you should), you will pray. Our prayer life must not be a self-centred one. We must pray for people in need, and not just for your family’s needs.
Second, visit and help. I am thankful to God for many of you. No one “instructed” you to visit the needy. Yet when you hear of people in need, you lovingly set aside time to visit the needy. Have you visited someone in the last three months? You bring these people practical help and comfort. Jesus says this in Matt 25:34-46 of those who do visitation:
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” 40 The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” 41 Then he will say to those on his left, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.” 44 They also will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?” 45 He will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” 46 Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
John in 1 John 3:16-17 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Let us love and where necessary, provide practical help.
Third, faith. You know that what the person needs is not only practical help, but you help so that the needy may experience not only human kindness, but God’s kindness. This is what the Bible teaches too: “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:12). How do we know God’s love is real? When you truly love one another, others will conclude: “God’s love is real.” Then your Christian brother and sister will love God more and have more faith in God. Your love has helped him or her grow spiritually! Human beings experience God and his love through you and your Christian love.
Thank God that restrictions due to Covid are greatly eased. Yes, for many we are now happier and less stressed. But do not forget: there are many needy Christians around us. If you truly love the Lord, love your fellow Christians, because “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).