Tag: helping those in need

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Always Look for the Helpers

here to help lettering text on black background

Mr. Rogers famously said that his mom used to tell him to always look for the helpers. She went on to explain that if we focus on the evil going on in the world we will lose perspective. There are always helpers out there sacrificing their time and efforts to help those in need. People will always have hope when they know that there are helpers who are willing to step in and assist those in need. Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”

Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” And who can forget when Jesus made a distinction between sheep and wolves? What separated them was how they treated (or neglected) those in need.

Over and over again the scriptures command us to be helpers to those in need, pointing people to the generous heart of God. God cares for his people and expects his people to care for others. Always look for the helpers. There will be a time when we need helpers too. We have to live our lives in a way that brings honor to God. Our sacrifices for others do not go unnoticed by our Father.

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The Widow’s Offering

man and woman eating at a park

Before Mark wrote the story of the widow who gave all she had, he prefaced it with a very important contrasting story–namely one of greedy hypocrites “who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers” (Mark 12:40 ESV). These scribes show boated their faith by walking around in long robes, they liked greetings in the marketplaces, and they had the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at feasts.

Mark introduces a dramatic contrasting scene where Jesus is observing people putting money into the treasury. Mark says that many rich people were putting large sums into the box. “And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny” (vs. 42). Jesus told his disciples that the woman put more money into the box than everyone else. His reasoning–“For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on” (vs. 44).

As we equip the saints for works of ministry, we should teach one another the value of freely giving to others. Some of the religious leaders who are held up by many as heroes of the faith are robbing people blind and padding their own pockets. The real heroes are the ones who faithfully and selflessly give of their own means to bless other people who are in need.