HELP ENOUGH OTHER PEOPLE

TOPIC: HELP ENOUGH OTHER PEOPLE
TEXT: LUKE 6:27-36

Someone who has few problems may wonder why one should learn about the problems others have. If you are successful, young, healthy and prosperous; if you get along well with your mates and have children of whom you can be proud, and if death seems to be far away, why should it concern you that others have problems? One answer to that question is that all human beings are interconnected. John Donne wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. Any man’s death diminishes me because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” Paul put it this way: “We are members of one another” (Ephesians 4:25b).

Whether you know or not, when you are hurt, other family members are pained whether they are aware or not; their pains may be unknown in the immediate, but sooner or later they will be repaid with the hurt neglected or healed. Not only do we share the problems of our own physical families and our church family, but also the problems of our neighbours. When a neighbour or a colleague is suffering, we are likely to be affected in one way or another. How a community handles its cumulative problems will make that segment of society what it is—either pleasant or unpleasant, a good place to live or a place merely to be endured.

We must be concerned about people to whom we are not related to by birth, or by the new birth, for at least two reasons. First, God has commanded us to “do good to all people” (Galatians 6:10). Therefore, it is the right thing to do. Second, it is to our own advantage to help others with their problems. That policy makes life more pleasant for everyone, and it makes the community more livable. Therefore, helping others is also the wise thing to do.

Do not expect that those you help will reciprocate, let your help and love to others be unconditional. Love people genuinely, do not expect anything in return from them. Helping people is sowing seeds that will germinate in your future. The irony about love is, it is always taking for granted. When you love, that’s when people hate; at that time, people may hate you because they do not understand why you love them so much. Love is alien to many people, they do not really understand. But our Lord Jesus Christ commanded us to love our neighbours (anybody next to you per time) as ourselves; He even commanded us to love our enemies and do good to them. Being a child of God should not just be in words, but in actions. Therefore, show love without condition. Let the world know you are of God by what you do.

Word Affirmation: “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." - Luke 6:31 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“Being a child of God should not just be in words, but in actions."

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