by Rev Robert Wendel
Jesus had a lot to say about money. Grace and gold are inseparably bound together. The need for earthly security and our spiritual life will be forever linked as one. Plain and simple, sufficient financial resources can help straighten out almost any area of somebody’s life.
The primary survival motive of the unchristian is “get and keep.” The driving force of the dedicated Christian should be “give.” Remember, Jesus reminded his listeners, “Give and it will be given” (Luke 6:38). The clear difference between these two opposing life philosophies is ‘believers trust that God will keep his promises. Congregations that learn to count on the Lord’s providence have a genuine sense of charity toward their neighbors. Such compassion draws people to Christ and his church.
On school year Sundays, as I walk through the door, on the parking lot side of the building it’s impossible not to notice 14 colorful backpacks, lined up and being filled, in our welcome center, for delivery to a local elementary school, as an undeniable expression of our church’s faithful mission outreach, a tangible witness that we really do care. This effort and the well-known ministry at Helping Hands, bridge the gap between our good fortune and those around us, literally, living from paycheck to paycheck.
Oh, I know that we should never gloat thinking “We have done enough!” And there are times when I get concerned that some recipients of available charity begin to see themselves as ‘entitled’, letting greed rule the day. The August Beckley Day of Hope can, easily, fall prey to such notions. But, too much kindness is never enough. One house fire, flood, automobile wreck, loss of a job, or family medical crisis, can find you or me in the next bread line.
A relatively new idea, these days, has come to be known as, “Paying it forward,” helping with something today because tomorrow you and yours may need a boost over the rough spot in the road. “May we give, Lord, as you, have extravagantly given to us!”