“What Responsibility Does the Christian Have in Assisting Others?”
Have you ever wondered exactly how far your responsibilities go in assisting others? Do you ever question the motives behind the people who are asking for assistance? Do you ever wonder if it is appropriate to deny help to some, but give it freely to others? If blessings are the result of obedience, and calamity is the result of disobedience, then do we have a duty to assist those who are reaping what they sow? Do we as Christians have an obligation to assist all who ask for our help? Are we to associate ourselves with non-Christ like people who ask for help? These are valid questions and hopefully through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and what I have learned from my wise and Spirit led Pastor; I will be able to answer some of these troubling questions!
The Bible admonishes us to love another: John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. Does this mean that we are to share our resources and our blessings with all? Absolutely not! If we see need with one of our brothers or sisters, we are to lend a helping hand. Now what defines who is our brothers and sisters? It means that those who are not brothers & sisters in Christ show themselves to be so by how unChrist-like they are, how they rip apart rather than build up, how they warp the meaning of what love is. It is then that we can say that, 'this is not the action of a follower of Christ'. Therefore those, whose lives bear righteous fruits, walk in His Light and obey the Will of God, are considered our brethren. These people we are commanded to help; all other we are NOT!
Those who chose to not to walk in His light but rather dabble in the worldly venues, are the ones we are to steer clear of. These people who are self-indulgent in the pleasures of the flesh are not the kinds of people a Christian should be associated with. The Bible clearly warns us of such people: Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. How many times have you found yourself in a situation where someone says one thing, but their actions speaker volumes above the words? Or how about the ones who are always looking for a handout, but unwilling to take responsibility for their own calamity? Preying on the next victim that they can scam into giving them their next hand out? Wasting what resources they have on things that satisfy the flesh and not the spirit? These types of people we are also warned not to associate with them. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The Bible tells us that we “reap what we sow.” Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Is it not a wonder that those who put their time, their effort and even their love into worldly things, are always looking for someone to bail them out? To satisfy ones fleshly desires is to sow into corrupt soil. But those who choose to sow seeds for Spirit edification reap bountiful blessing of the Lord!
There are some who come into the body of Christ with the intentions of pretending to be one of us. Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. These types of people are walking on a dangerous ground. If they are accepted by the body of Christ, they are under an “Umbrella of Protection.” Either by leaving on their own terms or being cast out from the body, they have removed themselves from this protection. We are told that such people should not dwell among us: 2 Thessalonians 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us………2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
The consequences of their actions fall completely and solely on that person. They are not to be a part of the Body of Christ that is until there is proof of their repentance. This also releases the members of that body from any gestures of help.
The Lord clearly states His position on the man whose heart is full of deceit. Psalm 101:7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight………Jeremiah 48:10 Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. The Bible clearly tells us that those who walk in righteousness will reap God’s wonderful blessings! Proverbs 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
The Christian Walk is not easy at times, but the rewards are literally out of this world! It is much easier to walk beside Him with the aid of your righteous brothers and sisters, than to walk against Him in a cloud of self indulgence, deceit and loneliness.
I pray that this has been a blessing to those who read this. If this hits home then repent of your sins, turn toward the Word of God and Walk in the Light of God’s Truth & Love……..Lord bless you all abundantly!!
