1 John 3:17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion–how can God’s love be in that person?
Compassion. Generosity. These are generally considered as values that every human being should practice regardless of their race, socio-economic standing, religion, and other factors. Because there are needs all around us, showing pity through practical acts of sharing one’s blessings is considered a basic human virtue.
We all remember times when we were in need – we lacked money, we were sick, we were alone, etc. We appreciated all the help we received at those times. Some of us may have never forgotten a kind act done to us in our time of need and may never forget it for the rest of our lives.
But most of us in the modern cities or moderately prosperous towns are so absorbed with getting more and living very comfortably that we have forgotten the largely neglected segments of society and places in the world where the staggering needs are so poorly addressed. Some 1 billion people in the world are hungry. Many thousands are dying every day from malnutrition and diseases from contaminated water, poor sanitation, and hygiene. So many tribes and ethnic groups are unreached with the good news of the love & salvation of God. And all these are happening while very many people who call themselves Christians are practicing lifestyles of affluence. There is nothing wrong in enjoying the fruits of our hard work. But there is something wrong when we are dressing, eating, travelling, and playing very expensively as a lifestyle (not just as occasional celebrations of success or needed breaks or fun moments for ourselves or our families, and the like) while doing nothing for the needs of the hungry, displaced, and sick of our country and even of the world.
Together, let us explore the Bible to see what it says about wealth and possessions and how we are to manage them. And if we see areas where our personal and/or family lifestyles are not in line with the teachings of our Lord, let us allow the Lord to change us. Some of our discoveries today may cause some discomfort in our souls, but let us decide to welcome the truth and allow it to set us free. Once we are free, we can be instruments of God to help others find lives that God wants every human being to have.
Lathur Badoy