HELP

[nelly]

WHY CANT THE RICH PEOPLE IN THE CHURCH HELP THE POOR IN THE CONGREGATION?

[Charlene]

unfortunately nelly its selfishness, they are so rapped up in their own need they cant see the needs of others, as of body of Christ we are supposed to all support eachother and that means emotionally and finacially, there is not to be one Christian in want.

Acts Chapter 4
4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

unfortunately the body of Christ is not like that today, but i am in prayer and i know many others who are in prayer for the revival and a renewed burning in the hearts of all Christians to respark the compassion of Christ in every heart, so we can start seeing above and beyond our need and into the needs of others.

[mario apalit]

The reasons why some members in the congregation are so very much emotional is because, they want to get so close to God, and just to feel even for just a moment be worry free. Why?. because they are in a heavy load..most of the time people come to God because of their financial worries. that is the time to call all the rich to form a group (financial support group). One of the LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEM of the church..... ( emotional support is another thing).A healthy Christian life is a healthy Christian Church.

[Carla]

Hi Nelly,

My suggestion would be for the people who need the help to go to the Pastor and let his or her needs be known, and see how they respond. Sometimes people just need a bit of a 'nudge' or reminder. If the church is not going to respond, then perhaps it is time to look for a new church. Are the poor reaching out for help? If they are asking, and the church is not responding, then perhaps they are not in the right church.

Is the person in question involved in a home church group from the church? Fellowship is very important. The homechurch group can equip the person in need to learn to help themselves, and in the meantime help them to get above water.

However it is...be careful to not make assumptions about others without knowing what their circumstances are. Do not let anger, bitterness, or resentment gain a stronghold.

Hope this helps. Trust in the Lord, He will meet all your needs.

[Bev]

Hi Nelly....can't or won't? This is a deep subject to me. I am by no means poor but I do know of poor people. I also know there are people who do not have to be poor but by their definition are. Are the "rich people" being mean or discerning? Could it be that people have reached out to the ones you speak of in ways that may be different from simply handing over money. In other words there is helping and there is enabling. If I am poor is it not more beneficial to help me learn to do better than it is to give me a hand out? Your question is vague therefore I am speaking in generalities and I think if you were to expound a bit it could be better answered.

Tell us how the rich are not helping. Tell us how the poor are not being helped. Tell us what has and has not been done.

Peace,
Bev

[Carla]

Bev, well said!

[Charles Burwell]

Bev and Carla, You both made some very good points concerning this topic. You've brought in perspectives that are rarely persented when this topic comes up and I commend you for your insight. While it is true that the early church shared all things in common there are many things the early church did that the 'modern' church doesn't. I am in absolute agreement that the church should , out of Chrisian love, help out the truly needy in the church. Therein lies the problem. I refer to the difficulty in discerning who is truely needy and wo wants a hand out because their too lazy or to proud to do what they consider ' demeaning' work. I've done a lot of different kinds of work, some of which I pray that I wil never have to do again. However, I believe that God continues to provide for me because I have always told Him that if He provides the job I'll do it. I may not like the work but my life does not revolve around my work or putting back a lot of money. (actually almost none). I have learned to be content in my circumstances knowing God is in charge of them and we may not be around long enough to worry about them anyhow. I'm not saying I don't panic a little when money gets short but God has put it deep enough into me that I know money will be there when I need it if I stay faithful to Him. I'M sorry I'm rambling again. Anyhow you ladies made excellent points that need to be adressed in dicussing this topic with the church. By the way I do believe that the pastors of churches should address the situation of caring for the needy in their congregations. As to wether or not the rich in the church should help out I believe that that should be left between the individuals and God. In His Service

[Carla]

Hi Charles,

Praise God that you are seeking in Him..and trusting in Him. God never does things the same way twice. He always will provide. Your devotion to Him and trust in what He does is very inspiring.

...brings this to mind from proverbs,

Pro 30:7 O God, I beg two favors from you before I die.

Pro 30:8 First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.

Pro 30:9 For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?" And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name.

..and ...numbers 6:23-26
Num 6:23 "Instruct Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:
Num 6:24 `May the LORD bless you and protect you.
Num 6:25 May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.
Num 6:26 May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.'

Love in Christ, Carla

[Carla]

This devotion came in my email today..Very appropriate for this discussion. Thank you Jesus!
The Abounding Life
Author: Institute for Creation Research

December 29, 2008

"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Jesus said: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

This well-known promise is sometimes misapplied, being interpreted to mean that the Christian life would normally be a life of material prosperity, popularity, and happiness. The words "abundantly," "abounding," and similar terms are all based on the same Greek word, which does, indeed, mean "abundant." But it can apply to sorrow, as well as happiness.

The Christian life, as our text indicates, should be abundant in good works, for the simple reason that God's saving and keeping grace has been manifested abundantly toward us. Having been "stablished in the faith," we are to be "abounding therein" (Colossians 2:7). Christians, of course, should also "abound in love." "And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you" (1 Thessalonians 3:12).

But the Christian may also experience much sorrow and difficulty in his life. Paul was a classic example: ". . . in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft" (2 Corinthians 11:23). One may also abound in poverty. For the Christians at Philippi, for example, "in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality" (2 Corinthians 8:2). An abundance of suffering for the believer can always be overbalanced by God's abounding grace. "For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ" (2 Corinthians 1:5).

Our God of all grace "is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us" (Ephesians 3:20). HMM