Stuff and Such, Meeting our Earthly Needs

Some have it easy, some do not. Some have a lot, some have little. I am in the process of raising support for preachers in Nigeria. They can live on $110 a month. That includes their family expenses, ministry expenses and even some for continuing education. Some of us spend that much on lunches in a month. Struggles and issues about the needs of this physical life are universal.

I have just been asked to assist in developing our benevolence ministry in the church. What a task. We know that, "the poor you have with you always." Matthew 26:11. But we also read, "But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. " 1 John 3:16-18

We have transients (maybe angels), single moms, unemployed dads, catastrophic events, and everything in between. We also have finite resources and an accountability of stewardship before the Lord. There is sometimes a resentment when people don't seem to want to help themselves and an embarrassment on the part of those who find it necessary to ask for help. It may be the most challenging part of ministry, especially in an area like North Myrtle Beach. You need the wisdom Solomon had when faced with two women fighting over the same child. You need the compassion that moved Jesus, the Samaritan, and Paul.

When it comes to helping those who need help, the Scriptures set the record straight in 2 Corinthians 8:13 - 15: "For this is not for the ease of others and for your affliction, but by way of equality — at this present time your abundance being a supply for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want, that there may be equality ; as it is written, "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little had no lack."

Jesus became poor to make us rich in him.

"Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written,
"He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor , His righteousness abides forever."
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food, will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Did you see that God gives us seed (stuff and such) for sowing, not for hoarding?

I wonder how much overflowing of thanksgiving, proof of ministry, and glory to God will take place if we ever get a handle on what it means to give out of our abundance to those in need so that God will be free to redistribute His stuff and such among His children.

More to come on this topic, I am sure.