A Lesson for the Christmas Holiday Part 2

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17 

The question is asked by men of great wealth, how will anybody start to help those in need? God does not wait for humans to give an answer. The Bible says God chooses to work through human agents in relieving the necessities of suffering humanity. He says, "How inconsistent it is for those who profess to be Christ’s followers to spend their means in buying expensive presents for those who need not their offerings! How many poor and suffering families might be supplied with healthful, simple food and comfortable clothing if the gifts and offerings formerly devoted to friends and relatives should be bestowed upon the needy. The word of God says, "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35 

Let the gifts that have hitherto been given without a thought as to the misapplication of God’s entrusted goods, be recognized as his talents to be applied to the necessities of the poor and suffering. In this way thanksgiving will redound to God; for the poor will be blessed with the thought that the Lord has moved upon his agents and has caused them to remember the hungry, the naked, and the destitute. Will those who have a good supply of the Lord’s goods, misapply their gifts in giving to those who are not in need, simply because it is fashionable to do so, and take no thought of the poverty-stricken homes where such gifts would be greatly appreciated?

We have long been waiting and halting, and neglecting Christ in the person of suffering ones who have been purchased by his blood. Shall we not now redeem the past? Shall we not now make restitution to God by our earnest zeal, our tender compassion, and take to our hearts the homeless little ones?

The children of God on earth must cooperate with heavenly intelligences, working in harmony with the light and truth revealed in his word, and thus represents the attributes of his character. Every Christian is to represent Christ in self-denial, in living not to please and glorify self. The followers of Christ are to reach that condition which is spoken of in the sacred record, “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.” And again he says, “God is not ashamed to be called their God,” Hebrews 2:11-13 / Hebrews 11:16. 

What evidence does he present to verify this assurance? The answer is, “He hath prepared for them a city.” But those who are thus honored are doers of the word of God, James 1:22. They love God with all the heart, and their neighbors as themselves, 

Mark 12:30-31, 

and are living epistles, known and read of all men, 2 Corinthians 3:2. By their character they say to the world that they are strangers and pilgrims on the earth. “For they that say such things declare plainly [to the world] that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country that is a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city.”

Let everyone closely investigate his expenditures, and see how he can deny himself and help the needy. There is a home in preparation for the aged poor. This is a precious object to which to give a portion of God’s entrusted goods. “Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not of covetousness.” Now hear the words of inspiration, “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully" 2 Corinthians 9:6. 

Do we believe God? I believe every word spoken by the prophets and apostles are inspired by the Holy Spirit. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" 2 Corinthians 9:7. Now hear the assurance that God has given to those who would follow out his instruction: “God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (as it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth forever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower [which is our heavenly Father] both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness): being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; while by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men: and by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:8-15

It is through the blessing of God bestowed upon the unselfish and benevolent soul, that he has wherewith to bestow gifts to help the needy, and to bring tithes and offerings to carry the gospel into regions beyond. Nothing can be given that has not first been received from our Heavenly Father, John 3:27. Will the Christian world ever learn that the soul must be refined from the dross of selfishness before Christ can be represented in character? Can anything be withheld by those who know the blessedness of giving? Shall it be said of professed believers in Jesus Christ that he is ashamed to call them brethren? Selfishness, covetousness, pride, and vanity misrepresent Christ to the world. 

The name of Christian is applied by the world to men and women who are not so named in the books of heaven. On the record above it is written of them, “Weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and found wanting" Daniel 5:27. The worldly spirit that leads the professed people of God to misappropriate their Lord’s goods causes them to bring reproach upon the name of him who has exercised boundless beneficence toward the sons of men. The character of God is falsified before the world by those who withhold their Lord’s entrusted means from benevolent purposes; for they do not represent him who “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Song of the Day: Lord, Make Us Instruments of Your Peace – Drakensberg Boys Choir

CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THE HOMELESS

Thank you for your prayers for this ministry, and may the blessings of the Lord rest on you, and your family always.

Blessings, Blessing, Blessings 

Garden Ministry Devotionals are written by Chaplain Kevin Santucci

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