A Season for Helping Others

 

Luke 6:38

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.

Jesus speaks of love that is not conditional or based on presuppositions. Generosity supplies another’s need but is also free of qualifiers and conditions for genuine disciples.  

It is a fixed principle in life that we reap according to our sowing, that our actions react upon us, that the same measure we use to others is measured back to us. If we sow material things we reap spiritual treasures of inestimable value. It is also true that what we keep we lose, and what we give we have^[1]

Helping others simply is giving something or being kind to another. It's a compassionate act that seeks another’s relief without any expectations of them in return. Many disciples are naturally geared toward this form of kindness, while some of us need a little push, opportunity, encouragement, or situation (Luke 6:38, 2Cor. 9:6-8).

Besides obey the Lord Jesus by making a difference in someone else's life, this is a great way to give your life more meaning. Accordingly, helping others improves your sense of purpose and identity in Christ. It also helps make the world a better place and strengthens our bonds with other people. Evidence even shows that helping others can also reduce stress as well as improve mood, self-esteem, and personal happiness. Certainly, passages like this and our passion should be the foundation for our giving, and it is not merely how much we give, but how much love we put into giving (Hebrews 13:16; Luke 6:30; John 15:13).

There are so many ways to help others as part of our everyday lives (Eph. 4:32; Prov. 19:17; 11:24-25), and this season clearly presents many opportunities. Good deeds need not take a great deal of time or cost large amounts of money. Many times, sharing a form of kindness means giving a portion of ourselves.

Finally, it was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who said, “Everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” He understood the necessity of giving yourself. Then perhaps we all are familiar with this empowering priority, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Matt. 7:12; Luke 6:31). This golden rule perspective highlights the proactive gold standard of helping others whatever the season. Truly a fundamental responsibility of disciples of Christ, and an underlying ethical principle for life.

 

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^[1] William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments, ed. Arthur Farstad (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1995), 1391.

From Sacrifice To Supply!

Our sacrifices for Christ’s sake make us eligible for God’s supply. Not everyone can claim Philippians 4:19 as a promise from God. Read carefully, what Paul actually wrote and what God truly promised.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. 19, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20, Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Phil. 4:18-20)

We all make sacrifices at times to advance the Lord’s work in some way or another. This is a spiritually healthy exercise for us, the recipients, the Lord’s church, the missionaries, and the overall cause of Christ. Note, that our sacrifices are a “sweet smell,” “acceptable,” and “wellpleasing” to our Lord. It helps us to give more freely of ourselves when we ascribe value to the fact that God is absolutely enthused with our sacrifices. We communicate real love to Him by sharing ourselves with Him.

In fact, He calls upon us to sustain the lifestyle of a “living sacrifice” (Rom. 12:1-2). Sometimes a sacrifice is defined by ignoring our own desires, wants, and necessities to address a pressing and substantial need in God’s work. Nevertheless, still give yourself to Him and for Him generously. In doing so, we are acknowledging in practical ways that we are already His (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

His promise to such givers is that He will supply every single need we have. When our giving according to God’s leadership leaves us with a deficit, God graciously obligates Himself to supply and alleviate that deficit. As a result, we experience God’s supernatural provisions for those essentials. This is not a special way to get rich or something extra from God! He supplies our need, and not our greed! However, the promise is assurance that as we give to participate in His plans, He will resource us according to the necessities we sustain.