Beware Neglect!
Most of us have seen tragic photos depicting victims of neglect - children, elderly people, homeless people, even animals. We wonder how people can be so heartless as to willfully neglect those in need.
However, we need to be careful that we are not guilty of neglecting others. James 4:17 says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Doing good frequently presents itself in opportunities to assist others that have legitimate needs. Galatians 6:10 declares, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Although we will occasionally come across neglected people in our day-to-day activities, we should not overlook members of our church family. James 2:15–16 says, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”
Although we may encounter Christians that are genuinely hungry or in desperate need of clothing, we are virtually surrounded by Christians who are ill, bereaved, discouraged, lonely, and depressed. Though some brethren are hesitant to publicize their need for assistance or encouragement, if we look and listen they will not be difficult to identify. While praying for such people is good, we must try to help in other ways as well.
A keyword of the Christian life is “ACTION”. Ours is not a religion of leisure but perpetual service. According to 2 Corinthians 510, "...we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds and the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." The busier we are doing good, the less time we will have do bad.
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
Jesus FIRST!
Dennis
Most of us have seen tragic photos depicting victims of neglect - children, elderly people, homeless people, even animals. We wonder how people can be so heartless as to willfully neglect those in need.
However, we need to be careful that we are not guilty of neglecting others. James 4:17 says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Doing good frequently presents itself in opportunities to assist others that have legitimate needs. Galatians 6:10 declares, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Although we will occasionally come across neglected people in our day-to-day activities, we should not overlook members of our church family. James 2:15–16 says, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?”
Although we may encounter Christians that are genuinely hungry or in desperate need of clothing, we are virtually surrounded by Christians who are ill, bereaved, discouraged, lonely, and depressed. Though some brethren are hesitant to publicize their need for assistance or encouragement, if we look and listen they will not be difficult to identify. While praying for such people is good, we must try to help in other ways as well.
A keyword of the Christian life is “ACTION”. Ours is not a religion of leisure but perpetual service. According to 2 Corinthians 510, "...we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds and the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." The busier we are doing good, the less time we will have do bad.
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
Jesus FIRST!
Dennis
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