Aug 1 2011
Always Remember to Help the Poor
The Living Bible: The only thing they did suggest was that we must always remember to help the poor, and I, too, was eager for that. (Galatians 2:10)
Dear Missionary Partners
Paul has been at his missionary ministry for the better part of 20 years. Now, he arrives in Jerusalem and looks up the great leaders of the church.
“By the way, their being great leaders made no difference to me”, he wrote, “for all are the same to God.”
Peter, James, and John were frankly thrilled to see Paul and get first-hand information about the powerful Spirit-guided work going on among non-Jewish foreigners. Paul was also overjoyed to learn about the thousands of Jews coming to Christ as a result especially of Peter’s preaching.
At the conclusion of their meeting the only advice that the brethren offered Paul was that he should always remember to help the poor.
Paul was totally in agreement with them on that fundamental point.
If those church leaders discussed doctrinal questions or administrative matters on that occasion Paul leaves it moot. Soon enough problems of “judaizing” were to appear and questions of prejudice and tradition were to nettle relations between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
Paul frequently spoke out against the legalism that others promoted. Later, in Antioch, he severely rattled Peter’s cage and thankfully was able to
(Continued on Page 3) convince his fellow apostle to drop such narrow-mindedness.
Paul minced few words speaking to common folks or speaking to church big-shots. Drop the worthless nonsense of ceremonial religion and stick to practical service that really pleases God:
“Stop steeling!” Paul spat out. “Put your hands to honest work; earn good money so that you can help those in need!” Ephesians 4:28.
“Do good, kind things which show that you are a child of God….”
Philippians 1:11.
“Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do.” Philippians 4:5.
“Love others selflessly. Be spiritually wise. Please God by the way you live always doing good, kind things for others, all the while getting to know the Lord better and better.”
Colossians 1:9, 10.
“Practice tenderhearted mercy to others.”
Colossians 3:12.
Paul told young Timothy to tactfully let the have believers know that they could use their wealth to do good, becoming rich in good works by sharing happily with the have nots. That was how folks could “store up treasure in heaven—which is the only safe investment for eternity”.
1 Timothy 6:17-19.
Well, Missionary Partners, you hardly need to hear these admonitions yet again from me. Your generous kindness is proverbial among the angel-tellers at God’s First Heavenly Savings and Loan.
Some day we will wake up in heaven and there our former money worries will have all vanished. We will be fully satisfied with the deposits made while still on Earth and ready to see our God face to face.
“But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us. And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face to face.” Psalms 17:15.
Gratefully yours,
Mike Lynch
Mike Lynch
Missionary still in
Central America.