Having Compassion

Wow! It is already December! Time sure flies when you are trying to get a church building into shape, a missions apartment and a home for sale in another state! Christmas is around the corner and ministry life rarely has much down time. There is always something to do or someone to visit or help.

Bob started a new temporary job this week doing more line work. (the last one laid him off because of lack of work) He is driving further but it is only for 3 to 4 weeks. Anyhoo, when he works, some things fall to me to handle or take care of. I'm glad to do it most of the time but sometimes it means I must make "executive decisions" myself on the spur of the moment. Today, a family needed some help and I tried to gather as much information as I could to relay to Bob so he could make an educated and informed decision about their need. Which he did while on a break. (He made decision but I took care of executing it)

While out taking care of this "need", I pondered about all the Bible has to say about the subject. See, after years of being in the ministry and trying to serve people, you come across many people wanting a handout and who make a habit and practice of this church jumping and asking for help. You will hear every sad story in the book and quite frankly, it is easy to become cynical and hard hearted. There are many out there who are users and abusers of anyone or any church they can scam. And YES it is a scam to waste your own money on habits and things of the world and then ask a church or someone else to help you pay for necessities! They promise to come to church, to pay it back and that they don't make a habit of this type behavior. Most of the time they are lying. 

The Bible tells us though, that we are to help those in need when we have the opportunity and ability to do so. It also tells us that we should not shut off our bowels of mercy from them. 

1 John 3:17 - But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?






Galatians 6:10 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

 
While I believe we, as Christians and as a church, should be good stewards of what God has given us; there is a fine line between being foolish and being compassionate. We can become so cynical and untrusting that the next person in line needing help doesn't get it because some before them abused the system and took advantage. I did a whole blog post some time back about empathy and compassion. Empathy makes you feel for the person and sympathize with them but compassion always always moves to action! Jesus was moved with compassion for people and helped them with their problem! 

I just studied the first couple verses in 1 Cor. 4...the ones often quoted when talking about being faithful with money. I reckon it is used because of the steward word in it. However, this in context is not even talking about money. A steward is simply a person in charge of another's goods or services. The verses in 1 Corinthians are talking about ministers and their stewardship of God's Word (the mysteries of God). 

My point is we need to not become hard hearted in our attempts to protect the finances of the church. We should be wise but we still need compassion for the needy. By the way, Jesus told us to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. This reminds me of the doctor's oath. They are not only to do good but to do no harm. A serpent is cunning and smart but the dove is a picture of innocence and harmlessness...therefore we are to be wise and do no harm. If someone has a true need, and we do not help them when we are able, we can cause harm to them. --Possibly to their physical being by lack of need, or harm can be done to their faith and spiritual walk.