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Having A Heart For Those In Need

Like many congregations of the Lord’s people, the Montana Street congregation (3101 Montana Ave) where my wife and I worship, are generous givers — not only to those in need within the congregation, but to those outside its walls as well.

For example, we have specific grocery items that members can bring each week for children in orphans homes or for those who are homeless. Our Spanish congregation donates clothing to needy members of the church located in our sister city, Juarez, Mexico.

The Scriptures attest to the fact that Jesus personally experienced the plight of the needy here on earth when He stated, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20). No one had more compassion for the poor that our loving Lord.

James also emphasized the need for Christians to help each other materially when he wrote, “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?” (James 2:15-16).

Not only must we help needy folks in a material way, but we must help them spiritually as well by sharing the saving gospel with them (Romans 1:16; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16).

They must not be found “homeless” when our Lord returns again to take us to our eternal home (John 14:1-3). Let’s remember that a true heart for God will be a heart for those who are in need, whether spiritual or physical (Luke 19:9-10; 1 John 3:14-18).

More like the Master I would live and grow,
More of His love to others I would show;
More self-denial, like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be. —Gabriel