Guilt shouldn't be the driving force behind our desire to help others. We're commanded to Love God and Love Others. I wish it were simple. Not a day has gone by that I haven't been asked for food or money by a beggar or seen someone extremely malnourished. Sometimes, I feel guilty b/c I sort of feel like I've become numb to it. The thing is that I could empty my savings account and all of my family's and give it to a beggar, but it would only be a temporary fix. You may be thinking: that's right, giving money away doesn't solve anything. If you think like that, you may not tithe or give like you should. Money can make a huge impact especially in the Kingdom of God. Billy Graham never could have led a crusade without someone giving money. Do you think investing in the stock market is wiser than investing in the church? Is our retirement more important than people hearing the gospel? You're thinking, but I still need something to live off of when I can no longer work. I cannot imagine worrying about my retirement b/c in two years I'll be jobless. In both situations, we cannot be stupid. We've got to be wise and plan ahead. Henceforth, I've already reserved my room w/ parents and my grass cutting job for when I return.
Seriously, what do we do? What does America do? I'm not a rocket scientist, but I do know giving money to programs in Africa that promote anything to do w/ abortion isn't good. Click here later to see what I'm talking about. I love that America gives more foreign aid than any other country. But in our current situation, it's like me giving money away when I have $20,000 worth of credit card debt. It doesn't make sense. Don't take that as America should withdraw all foreign aid, we shouldn't. We just need to be a little wiser.
I know this won't be the last post that I talk about money or poverty. You don't have to read too many of my post to realize I harp on the same things over and over. Surprisingly I haven't talked about my favorite band or song yet. I'm scared to start b/c I won't stop. Anyways, one of their songs helped we realize He's the only Solution. I'll post the lyrics and a video later.
He's the solution... In order for Him to be the solution, people need to hear about Him. We all know that and that's not the point I'm trying to make. I've thought...Africa just needs Jesus then everything will change. Really? I cannot believe what I fool myself into thinking sometimes. We think people who never have heard need Jesus to solve their problems while we who have heard and believe exclude Him from our problems. I'm wanting to stress that we as followers have got to start applying Him to our daily lives. I could throw out a ton of verses, but I'm not going to because I would have to write the whole Bible.
What that's supposed to look like in my life right now is tricky, but I don't doubt He's the only solution to what we face each day.
Well, I will throw out a few verses:
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
1 John 3:16-18
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