Have you ever found yourself in the position where you’re in desperate need of help; whether it be financial, physical, or emotional? Who hasn’t right?.... So what’s the first thing you do? Turn to God, pray, turn to a friend, a family member, pastor, or try to make it on your own. We know as Christians, that we first pray and turn it over to God. But what happens when you seek help from others? Have you ever been told, “I’ll pray for you.”, or “God will bless you.” Well obviously we believe God will bless us. But how?...
Now image the shoe on the other foot; someone comes to you asking for help. Do you pray with them and send them on their way? Or do you pray with them, and then ask God what you can do to be a blessing to that person? Many times we may find ourselves in this position, but may not want to go out of our way. After all, we have our own problems to deal with, someone else will do it, right…….? Maybe, maybe not. So what does the Bible say about this situation? James 2:14-17 (KJV) talks specifically about this situation.
“14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
This scripture tells us that being a Christian is more than just having faith; we must show our faith through our works. Verses 15 and 16 gave the example of a person in need of clothes and food, and ask how that person would benefit from words of encouragement alone. Understand that you’re not going to be able to save the world but, when the opportunity to be a blessing presents itself, take it. God rewards us for the good that we do and He blesses us in order for us to be a blessing to others.
Now image the shoe on the other foot; someone comes to you asking for help. Do you pray with them and send them on their way? Or do you pray with them, and then ask God what you can do to be a blessing to that person? Many times we may find ourselves in this position, but may not want to go out of our way. After all, we have our own problems to deal with, someone else will do it, right…….? Maybe, maybe not. So what does the Bible say about this situation? James 2:14-17 (KJV) talks specifically about this situation.
“14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
This scripture tells us that being a Christian is more than just having faith; we must show our faith through our works. Verses 15 and 16 gave the example of a person in need of clothes and food, and ask how that person would benefit from words of encouragement alone. Understand that you’re not going to be able to save the world but, when the opportunity to be a blessing presents itself, take it. God rewards us for the good that we do and He blesses us in order for us to be a blessing to others.