Dear Trekker,
This month we have been flooded with water, water and more water across our country. Such natural disasters as Hurricane Harvey in Texas and then Hurricane Irma blowing into Florida, elicit all kinds of “conservative” responses. “Oh, God is judging America” go up the cries. Others get lost in the weeds of political philosophy, debating whether or not federal dollars should be used for benevolence of any kind.
Meanwhile people have lost their homes, suffered irreparable financial hardship and are “wiped out” in despair and loss of hope. The correct “conservative” response, which happens to be the essence of the Christian faith, is to help any brother in need, particularly those who are “victims of forces outside of their control”… my definition of “natural disaster.”
So when I read recently that faith-based groups, churches and relief agencies had beaten government as “first responders,” I exclaimed “Bravo!” The article (The Patriot Post, Sept 13), went on to state that roughly 80% of immediate aid in the initial days of response had been provided by faith-based relief efforts. Well, of course! Is not the “grace of giving” the natural response of the believer? He who receives has something to give, and gives freely and graciously. “To whomsoever much is given, much is required (to give),” Luke 12:48.
The fact that faith based agencies “show up first” is alarming to some. But my purpose in writing today is not to go down that secular rabbit trail. My purpose in tying “disaster relief” with the “grace of giving” is three-fold:
1) So-called natural disasters, caused by whatever reason, are a wonderful opportunity “to consider others better than ourselves” (Philippians 2:3-4) “and what you do for the least (of people), you do it to/for Christ” (the Lord speaking, Matthew 25:40).
2) “We cannot do everything for everybody, but we can do something for somebody (in need). And whatever we can do, we should do, today.” (The founder of World Vision, Dr. Bob Pierce, taught me this 40 plus years ago.)
3) When needs arise, believers must act upon the moral and spiritual imperative “to help” as this is the heart of the Gospel and wins us the right to present Christ’s love in words as well as deeds.
The Apostle Paul, in writing to the church at Corinth, points out how Macedonian churches seized opportunity and were blessed for it (II Corinthians 8). Verse 2 declares: “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability.” Verse 5 is key here… “They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, in keeping with God’s will.” (More on this priority point later).
Trekker, read all of Chapter 8. There is so much Godly wisdom there. We talk much about equality today! Equality of outcomes is hard to orchestrate. Goodness, we try in today’s society. Yet, if each is giving voluntarily according to needs, the final outcome in “the grace of giving” (v 7) becomes the great equalizer (v 13).
We can always do something for somebody in need! What happened in Acts 11:27-30 is illustrative. Early believers in Jerusalem, through Holy Spirit prophecy, learned of a worldwide famine to come. Now most disasters are local in scope. This was to be massive, so the church in Antioch, not ignoring the world scope, chose to do what it could do locally. They chose to assist in Judea. The principle is not exclusiveness, but effectiveness, always. We should note that their efforts were 1) voluntary, 2) an expression of loving one’s neighbors as yourself, and 3) “grace giving” occurred, each according to ability. No one was exempt from the “opportunity call” to give.
What is the key to act upon the moral and spiritual imperative to exercise the “grace of giving?” Let’s go to the jugular and be blunt…one cannot “get into” and be a blessing to others until the right of ownership is surrendered. I love the old hymn, I Surrender All. The words are not primarily about receiving Christ. They relate to what we do after receiving Christ. “All to Jesus, I surrender all. All to him I freely give. I will ever love and trust him. In his presence daily live.” One cannot give as Christ gave until he or she gives up the right of ownership! We must follow Christ’s example (Philippians 2:5-8).
I wonder… perhaps too few Christ followers have surrendered all? I think I have… but have I? Only Christ can be “the final judge,” and indeed He is. If we haven’t surrendered all, we may not be equipped inwardly and outwardly to respond to the challenges and opportunities that accompany disasters. The man Nehemiah, OT cupbearer to the king, offers a blueprint life for us. Nehemiah surrendered to God, prayed, assessed, planned and then went to work (Nehemiah 2) to rebuild the walls.
One caution is in order in our response to opportunities for service. Years ago, I experienced a conference theme that emphasized “working for rewards in heaven” as the motivation for our responses. I was uncomfortable then and remain so. We do what we do not for self but for God, period! We do what we do “heartily as unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:23, 24). We do what is right because it is right! Of course, God is the judge and we may receive some sort of “reward”! But blessing from God is not dependent on our service, but His grace! We do the right thing at the right time for the right reason. God determines earthly and heavenly outcomes and blessings.
Oswald Chambers writings are helpful here. He characterizes the life in Christ as one of service, “the sacrament of service,” but service not based on need, but based on pleasing the Savior. In his book, the classic, My Utmost for His Highest, Chambers writes, “Our Lord’s teaching is always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the (mere) development of a man; His purpose is to make a man exactly like himself, and the characteristic of the Son of God is self-expenditure.”
Who will exercise the “grace of giving” as a lifestyle, not simply in times of disastrous needs? Trekker, it can only be us… you and me! Our answer to disaster and opportunities to serve and give must be Isaiah’s classic response, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8).
Your trekker friend,
Jim Meredith
