Caring for God's Children - The Needy

SUNDAY, 6TH OCTOBER 2024

 

TEXTS:

1. 1 Kings 17:8-16

2. Acts 20:32-35

3. Matthew 5:1-7

 

THEME: -

"Caring for God's Children - The Needy" 

(Yɛrehwɛ Onyankopɔn Mma – Obi A Biribi Hia No) 

 

19th Sunday After Trinity / Worldwide Communion Day / Children's Harvest

 

"Thou shall open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy in thy land." Deuteronomy 15:11

 

Today is Worldwide Communion Day, where the Saints in Christ Jesus, the Church Militant, are called to partake in the Lord's Table. The Lord's Supper, or the Eucharist, holds great importance for the believer:

 

1. It serves as a remembrance of Christ's sacrificial death on the Cross and His victorious Resurrection.

2. It offers spiritual nourishment, strengthening the faith and fostering the spiritual growth of participants.

3. It symbolizes our union with Christ Jesus and fellowship with other believers.

4. It reminds us of Christ's forgiveness and cleansing from sin.

5. It encourages believers to anticipate the Second Coming of Christ Jesus.

 

While we partake in the Eucharist, the theme today reminds us not to lose focus on our social well-being. We are called to care for the needy among us a responsibility we often overlook.

 

CARING FOR OTHERS

God has given us a divine mandate to care for one another and seek our collective well-being. During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stressed the importance of mercy, saying, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). A merciful heart is essential in assisting those in need.

 

Jesus set an example by identifying the needy and extending help to them, for "He went around doing good" (Acts 10:38, Matthew 4:23-25). His early ministry focused on the poor, as He declared, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18). Caring for others is not just an act of kindness it is a practical way of demonstrating Christ-like nature. Sadly, many believers have neglected this crucial aspect of their calling.

 

CARING FOR THE NEEDY

At different points in our lives, we all experience need and rely on others to provide for us. The widow of Zarephath, for example, needed divine intervention in her time of scarcity. Prophet Elijah was sent to fulfill this need, demonstrating that God can use any person or circumstance to meet our needs (1 Kings 17:8-16).

 

WHO IS A NEEDY PERSON?

A needy person is someone who requires assistance to meet their basic physical, emotional, or spiritual needs. This includes:

 

- The homeless and hungry

- The mentally ill, sick, or disabled

- The elderly or vulnerable adults

- Orphans and abandoned children

- Those struggling with addiction

- Victims of abuse

- Refugees and displaced persons 

 

Even unbelievers are spiritually needy, as they lack the saving grace of Christ Jesus.

 

WHY CARE FOR THE NEEDY?

God commands us to care for the needy for several reasons:

 

1. It is a command from God: 

   God instructed the Israelites to leave the corners of their fields unharvested for the poor and strangers (Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19), teaching us to demonstrate compassion and generosity.

  

2. It brings God's blessings: 

   "He who hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he giveth his bread to the poor" (Proverbs 22:9).

As Pastor E. A. Adeboye said, "One of the quickest ways to be blessed by God is to care for the poor." 

   Givers never lack!

 

3. It fosters multiplication: 

   The widow's flour was multiplied after she gave a little of what was left for her to eat with her child and die (1 Kings 17:16). God presses and shakes our resources to overflow when we extend help to the needy.

  

4. It blesses others: 

   God blesses us so that we may bless others (*Genesis 12:2*). Can you bless someone today?

  

5. It is a form of worship: 

   Helping the poor is an act of worship, as Proverbs 14:31 says, "Kindness shown to the poor is an act of worship."

 

THE PRINCIPLES

1. Treat the needy with integrity: 

We must respect the dignity of the needy, remembering that our self-worth is not measured by material wealth.

  

2. Give opportunities: 

   It's not always about giving money. The needy may require training, jobs, or mentorship to rise above their circumstances (Galatians 6:10).

  

3. Defend the poor: 

   The needy are vulnerable to injustice. We must stand up for them, ensuring systems are in place to protect them from mistreatment.

  

4. Share what you have: 

   Share your food, home, and clothes with the needy, and do not turn away those you can help (Isaiah 58:7).

 

CAUTION

Helping the needy should not make people lazy or idle but should enable them to live meaningful lives. The Bible warns us against associating with lazy people (2 Thessalonians 3:7). We should also be careful not to exploit or abuse those we help.

 

Our generosity reflects the health of our spiritual lives. A generous heart is a sign of godliness, while indifference and greed reveal a corrupt heart. "Giving to the needy is lending to the Lord, and He will repay whatever is given" (Proverbs 19:17). God is displeased when we ignore the cries of the needy. Though you may be taken for granted for your kindness, never grow weary in doing good.

 

AMEN.