March 24, 2016 I don't want to help him.

Reading: John 15 and Leviticus 24-25

Scripture: Leviticus 25:35-36, "If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you.

Observation: I feel that here in western society we have set aside the principles of helping and providing for those who have come on hard times. We think about what we could do with our time and money that we would spent helping someone instead of coming beside them and helping them get a hand up. I’m guilty of thinking that these people standing by the side of the road are just looking for free money and are not willing to work. Maybe its because of the stories that circulate about people living in nice hotels or having nice cars and houses but their job is going to a corner and collecting what ever they can from people. 

Application: God has called us to support our brothers, I don’t know if you should just go out and put cash the hand of every panhandler, but we need to take care of those in need. We each have a gift and talent that can be used to show God’s love. There are groups that take food and clothes to the homeless camps around our city, I have heard of stylist who will give free hair cuts to homeless who are going to interviews and dry cleaners who will clean someone interview clothes to help them get that hand up. One of the things that is close to my heart is Amor Ministries, Hundreds of volunteers pay they way to other countries and for a portion of the building costs and go and build homes for people. I love going and helping in a tangible way like that. My church currently has about 60 people building 4 houses in Tecate Mexico this week 

Prayer: Lord, I thank you that you are the great provider and that you are the one that brings all things together for good. It is hard to go though pain and trials but I am thankful that you use the pain to give us a Megaphone to show your love. Lord help us to use your blessings to support our brothers so that we all can shout your love.