We Need a Living Faith

 

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

 - Deuteronomy 15:11

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done. 

- Proverbs 19:17

In a recent Christianity Today article, writer Anthony Baxter related that:

“Churches across the UK are being asked to open their doors this winter as a place of warmth and support for people struggling with the cost of living crisis. Food and energy price rises have sent household bills soaring, leaving many people worried about how they will get through the winter and facing the prospect of choosing between heating or eating. Last month Citizens' Advice forecast that 1 in 4 people will not be able to afford their new energy bills despite the recently announced price cap. Responding to the crisis, the ChurchWorks Commission has launched a new initiative asking churches and community centres to open up as a place of warmth and welcome during the winter months. The 'Warm Welcome' campaign has the support of former prime minister Gordon Brown and 1,000 churches have already signed up.

Mr Brown said, "This crisis goes far beyond politics; this is a moral issue - our responsibilities to our neighbours and in particular to those who have the least and whose needs are the greatest.”

Paul Butler, the Bishop of Durham (Church of England) and Chair of the ChurchWorks Commission said, "Over the last few years, we have seen inspiring and meaningful action from churches across the UK stepping up to help those most vulnerable. Through the Covid-19 pandemic, the Church responded quickly and creatively. Now, during another national crisis, churches and community centres need to once again step up by being places of warm welcome in their localities. As bills increase, even with government support, millions will be affected and unable to afford basics. Churches and community groups are perfectly positioned to help those who need a place of warmth and welcome, but if we are truly going to make an impact on a national level, we need hundreds of groups to pledge their space."

Churches to give a warm welcome this winter as energy prices soar (christiantoday.com)

Now, we know this article is concentrated on the UK. “Why, that’s on the other side of the pond!” you might say. But…

According to recent reports, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) estimates the average American family may pay up to $1,200 more this winter to heat their home…which is notable considering most families are already feeling financially strapped.

What’s more, the 40% of U.S. families that use natural gas to heat their homes could see their winter heating costs increase by 30%, according to NEADA.

Yeah, we are all going to have a tough winter. But, for some, it could be economically catastrophic. It’s why we should remember the words, And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased - Hebrews 13:16.

We all need to be there for one another. We need others to be there for us.

After all, today may be a good day. There may be money in the bank. Electricity in the house. Food in the refrigerator. Health in the home. Your team winning. Happiness in the heart.

But, tomorrow? Well, we don’t know about tomorrow. Neither do you. Therefore, we must remember to care for one another…to love one another. After all, Jesus said, Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” - Luke 6:38.

That’s good news. I care for you. You care for me. We care for one another. It’s Christian.

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. - James 2:14-17

In our lives, Missy and I have seen a lot of Christians not act like Christ. Likewise, we’ve seen a lot of non-Christ followers act like Christ. Things that make you go, “Hmmm.”

This winter - let’s open our hearts and yes our churches to those in need. We know what is coming. We know how to help. But, knowing and doing are two different things. Knowing what Jesus said and doing what Jesus said? Yeah, there’s a difference.

So, it’s going to get cold. What can we (followers of Jesus) do about it?
    1.) Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as God speaks to you and directs your path.
    2.) Listen to others. Look at others. You will know if they need help.
    3.) If you need help, crush pride and reach out - give someone else the opportunity to care and love you.
    4.) Don’t say, “I’ll be praying about that.” Do something about that.
    5.) Encourage your religious leaders to create opportunities for the entire fellowship to do something about the physical needs of those in your community.
    6.) Don’t play the blame game for others unfortunate circumstances. You wouldn’t want people blaming you for something that is beyond your control either.

You say you love Jesus? “Go, and do likewise.” Sisters and brothers, the world needs our living faith.

Socks and Sympathy

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem?

I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” - Luke 13:1-5

This past weekend Missy’s family gathered all together at Fort Boonesborough State Park in Winchester, Kentucky. This is something they have done for years during the Labor Day weekend - and boy, is camping “labor!”

I (Steve) drove back to North Carolina on Saturday for worship on Sunday. Sunday, I turned right around and drove back to a wet and muddy Kentucky.

Along the way I drove through far Eastern Kentucky and parts of the Appalachian Mountains. The drive took me through Wolfe, Lee, Breathitt, Perry and Letcher counties. These were a few of the counties utterly devastated by recent flooding.

One of the horrific images which shall be forever lodged in my mind as I was driving by Lost Creek on Ky 15 - just a few miles outside of Jackson - was the sight of bedding and clothing…15-25 ft in the air clinging to the branches of trees.

The creek, which has subsided, was gently rolling along next to the road - all while sheets, blankets, shirts and even socks were hanging from the branches directly above.

Homes, which had been removed from their foundations, were wrapped around trees, some even upside down; cars were littered across the creek. Still mourning and homeless families were standing silently or picking through rubbish trying to salvage anything from a life which no longer exists for them.

It left you feeling helpless. It made you ask, “God, where were you when this happened?”

In our scripture today we see where Jesus brings up two horrific and unfortunate events. Some had apparently been blaming the victims for what happened to them. Sound familiar?

Yet, the truth is this: things just sometimes happen. Life happens.

There is no explaining it. There is no comfort. There is only brokenness.

It is at this point that a lot of Christians - including those who serve as ministers or are in leadership positions - give only pat answers like, “I am praying for you.” Or, even worse - in the case of those impacted by the floods - “Well, they shouldn’t live by a creek…”

At best, we know that people say these things only because they don’t know what else to say. They are at a loss for words. At worst, they actually think that way and consider themselves better people than others.

Jesus, who we are called to follow, gives us a couple of questions to consider before we begin pronouncing judgment on people who are or have experienced a horrible life moment:“Do you think that these…were worse sinners? Do you think they were more guilty than all the others?”

Of course, in our feeble and self-preserving ways, we are constantly comparing ourselves with others - you know, trying to place ourselves in a better light. What better way to do that than to think others are “worse” than us.

Perhaps no one truly understood this better than Saul/Paul of Tarsus. I Timothy 1:15 has him openly declaring, “I am the chief of sinners.” The NET version pounds it home: “I am the worst of them!”

If each of us viewed ourselves from this lens there would be no need to judge another. No need to blame someone else. No necessity laid upon us to compare ourselves with anyone.

Perhaps the next time we witness something terrible befall someone the first response we should have is one of empathy. Of understanding. Of a broken heart that immediately goes to God in prayer for that person and that situation.

British statesman and financier Cecil Rhodes, whose fortune was used to endow the world-famous Rhodes Scholarships, was a stickler for correct dress--but apparently not at the expense of someone else's feelings.

A young man invited to dine with Rhodes arrived by train and had to go directly to Rhodes's home in his travel-stained clothes. Once there he was appalled to find the other guests already assembled, wearing full evening dress.

After what seemed a long time Rhodes appeared, in a shabby old blue suit. Later the young man learned that his host had been dressed in evening clothes, but put on the old suit when he heard of his young guest's dilemma.

What about you? Is there anyone you know who needs your empathy? Your sympathy? Your understanding? Your compassion?

After all, isn’t that what Jesus gave us when “While we were still sinning Christ died for us”?