Dr Otabil 24/08/2014 Faith at work This is about faith in manifestation. James 2:14-17 Faith Without Works Is Dead What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 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? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. In this passage we are told how to respond to the needs of people who approach us. Responding to need Prayer of faith: talking to God about the problem because we believe that a God can supply our needs. This is a good response but there is a second response. We need to do something about the problem, it may not be enough but it is a starting point. Though it does not fully solve the problem, it is a sign of Gods love, mercy and goodness. An example of a church which did this was the church in Marcedonia which was a poor church facing challenges but gave and shared as seen in the scriptures in 2 Corinthians. The work of faith: doing something about the problem 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Chapter 8 Excel in Giving Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. At this time there was a general famine in the Roman Empire and they were one of the neediest churches but though they did not have much, they were a giving church. Their world was: Great trial of affliction Deep poverty - this was an outcome of the great trial of affliction which was poverty unto death. People were dying out of poverty. Inspite of this, Their heart was : Abundance of joy Riches of their liberality - even though they were also poor, they gave Paul money to send to the church in Judea who were also struggling. Spirit of giving Models of generosity Through compassionate acts Luke 10:30-36 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbour to him who fell among the thieves?” Is it not interesting we call him the Good Samaritan while the bible merely described him as the Samaritan. The Jews thought of the Samaritans as second class people because they were mixed race. The pastor and the deacon both pass the attacked man by. But the enemy helped him. Compassionate acts Identify with the condition of the needy - some people have never seen need, hunger, or have experienced hardship but it is necessary to empathise to feel what others feel, until then you can never understand their problems. The Samaritan had not been beaten and robbed but he could imagine what the Jew had gone through Show compassion and get involved - you cannot be like the priest and Levite who walked away Commit resources to meet the need - the Samaritan committed time and money to help the other in need Charitable deeds Acts 9:36-42 Dorcas Restored to Life At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. Dorcas is a great example of the ministry of giving. To follow her example Have a genuine love for people - she was full of good works Help the disadvantaged with your talents - as a seamstress she made clothes for people for free. How can you use your talent to Help others? Dont expect your reward from those you help. Do it quietly, even if the people dont appreciate it, show your love. When you do good, your good deeds will raise you up even if you die. When Dorcas died, the people did not want her dead, they brought Peter who raised her from the dead. Why the spirit of generosity is dead in our church today 5 killers if generosity Deception - using false pretences : sometimes people are not sure how true the case is. Honesty and truth are the bedrock of all relationships. There are too many con people around today especially in the church. Even needy people have become conn people today. Stealing - taking without permission : no matter how needy your situation is never take anything that does not belong to you without permission Greed - selfishly grabbing everything. Do not exploit opportunities you have to receive from others. You can never satisfy greedy people. Laziness - unwillingness to work hard, no one wants to finance a lazy person. The bible says he that does not work shall not eat. Ingratitude - not showing a sense of gratitude. Some people have a sense of entitlement thinking what they receive is their right and expect more than they receive thus they even abuse the giver. They even call the giver stingy and iron fisted. Lets learn to show appreciation.
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 09:21:49 +0000
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