ODB: goats for Jesus
October 4, 2009
READ: 1 John 3:16-20
Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? —1 John 3:17
When Dave and Joy Mueller felt God prompting them to move to Sudan as missionaries, all they knew was that they would be helping to build a hospital in that war-ravaged land. How could they know that goats would be in their future?
As Joy began working with the women, she discovered that many were widows because of the devastating civil war and had no way to earn a living. So Joy had an idea. If she could provide just one pregnant goat to a woman, that person would have milk and a source of income. To keep the program going, the woman would give the newborn kid back to Joy—but all other products from the goat would be used to support the woman’s family. The baby goat would eventually go to another family. The gift of goats given in Jesus’ name would change the life of numerous Sudanese women—and open the door for Joy to explain the gospel.
What is your equivalent to goats? What can you give a neighbor, a friend, or even someone you don’t know? Is it a ride? An offer to do yardwork? A gift of material resources?
As believers in Christ, we have the responsibility to care for the needs of others (1 John 3:17). Our acts of love reveal that Jesus resides in our hearts, and giving to those in need may help us tell others about Him. — Dave Branon
God gives us all we need, so let’s give to others in their need.
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Loading ...ODJ: altruistic dividends
October 4, 2009
READ: Psalm 41:1-3
Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor! (v.1).
We live in an era when individuals, celebrities, corporations, and other institutions are increasingly discovering the value of giving back, social responsibility, cause marketing, and other forms of altruism. A diverse group of philanthropic leaders are admirably striving to make a difference in the world.
Why, we might ask, are so many men and women, representing a myriad of beliefs and religious faiths, motivated to help the oppressed and the less fortunate? “We all want to be treated fairly and respectfully,” co-authors Douglas Jacobsen and Rodney Sawatsky suggest in their book Gracious Christianity: Living the Love We Profess. “Thus, we should not be surprised to discover that what Christians see as good, proper, and laudable is often the same as what most other people see as good, proper, and laudable.”
Jacobsen and Sawatsky paraphrase Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, when they write: “‘No law forbids the character traits Christians value most, such as love, compassion, and kindness’ (5:22-23). While these virtues are distinctively Christian, Paul indicates that they are not uniquely Christian.”
While eternal salvation is obtained by faith—by God’s grace and not by our good works (Ephesians 2:8-9), Scripture conveys that helping the poor and needy is among the ways we can gain a deeper understanding of God’s heart. Building “a beautiful cedar palace does not make a great king!” the Lord said of King Josiah concerning Judah’s royal palace. But he, Josiah, “gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him. Isn’t that what it means to know me?” says the Lord (Jeremiah 22:15-16).
God has placed within human beings a desire to lift up the oppressed and needy. We can come to know Him better as we help others. —Roxanne Robbins
How will you help the less fortunate this week? What have you learned in the past as you’ve cared for the oppressed and poor?
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