“The love of God is
sacrificial: ‘For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he
was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might
be rich’ (2 Cor. 8:9). Such an attitude on the part of the Son of God toward
the eternal riches must, if reproduced in the Christian, affect largely his
attitude toward earthly riches… Thus the mighty heart of God may be manifested
in a human life, and this one word ‘love,’ together with the other eight words
which indicate the fruit of the Spirit, is a representation of true Christian
character. The other eight words, when traced in the Scriptures, will also
prove to be divine graces which are realized in the human heart only as they
are imparted… These divine graces are not produced in every Christian’s heart.
They are produced in those who are ‘by the Spirit walking.’” He That is
Spiritual, L. S. Chafer.
Over the last thirteen years of my ministry at Grace
Community Church and community in which it resides, I have learned quite a bit
about the needs of others and learning to love those who are in poverty by
trying to help them. Many each day even in the United States of America are
without food each week or very little. It is a tough and sad time to see those
who do not have, for one reason or another. It’s just sad.
As I read this passage from Chafer, it caused me to reflect
upon the statement of Paul in 2 Corinthians 8:9, “though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through
his poverty might be rich.” If Jesus, who has and had everything, could
take His life and come to this earth in lowliness, how should the Christian’s
life be a reflection of His? I know that it doesn’t mean that each of us is to
live a life of poverty to better identify with Jesus. In fact I’ll take it one
step further so we might understand what he is saying. If we do have those things in life called
riches, why can’t we take the time to love people enough to see their needs and try to help those? I think
this is what true Christian character is as defined by Jesus. Remember 1 John
3:17, “But whoever has the world's goods,
and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the
love of God abide in him?” or in James 2:15-16, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and
one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving
them the things needed for the body, what good is that?”
Just think of what the world would look like? What if garage
sales (which are ways to get rid of things we really don’t need any more and
seek to make some extra cash) were converted to bringing to those who were in
need? What if our food banks in churches were stocked with so much food because
each family decided to get a little extra (because they could) and bring it
into the storehouse? And not even the stuff on sale or closeout?
I think then our communities would look a little different.
Those who don’t have would have. Those who have needs might be met, rather than
us hanging on to things and trying to justify some way of getting rid of them accumulated
over time and will never use again. We are a nation that could effect change,
and it could start by the church leading the way! Think about something you
have today that you don’t use (not your junk) and find someone who could use
it. Then show your love and compassion for your fellow man by providing for
them.
Proverbs 19:17 says this in closing, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay
him for his deed.”
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