Responding in Faith to Crisis and Poverty
Rescuing the Suffering and Oppressed
How should Christians help the current pandemic, disease and poverty crises in India? For the early church’s help against poverty and suffering in Judea, Corinthian believers were the first generous donors to respond. Then the Macedonian Christians, very poor themselves, were filled with abundant joy, which overflowed in rich generosity (2 Corinthians 8:2), and their zeal spurred them to complete the needed gifts. Paul and Titus exhorted the church to excel in giving to bring glory, praise and thanksgiving to God.
Do you know what the future holds? We know who holds the future—the One who holds you and your future close to His heart. There is no need to fear the future and the most-repeated Bible command, Do Not Fear, appears over 200 times!
Where Does Money Go?
Today, many are frantically struggling to preserve their wealth. How about gold or silver investing? Bitcoin? Treasury bills, stocks or bonds? Where are the safe havens when lifetime savings are wiped away by market volatility and panicked consumers?
“In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle.” Proverbs 23:5 [NLT]
One thing is certain, money given to the Lord cannot be eroded. Jesus said, “I assure you that everyone who has given up houses . . . property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as much!” (Mark 10:29-30) “100 times” is a 10,000% investor’s return!
Why Bring a U-Haul to the Grave?
Have you seen a hearse pull a U-Haul trailer to the graveyard? You “can’t take it with you” but you can use money properly when you give for the sake of the saving gospel. Others will receive eternal life and you will have treasure in Heaven including meeting the people you’ve helped by your gifts! (See Luke 16:9)
The lesson is to use worldly resources to benefit others. Then when the grave lacks a U-Haul, you will still be welcomed in an eternal home. Or consider Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus taught how sheep and goats are separated based on who “helped the least of these, my brothers . . . ”
In uncertain times, don’t panic or hoard but give (sacrificially, joyfully) to people in need. There is suffering and death all around us—but it’s getting to be endemic in India, so live courageously and give faithfully. Step out to act on God’s promises in the Bible. We will never be ashamed, and we’ll shine like the stars forever!