Luke 16:10-13; Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus gives us a preview of final judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. He's addressing two groups, Christ-followers and non-believers, and talks about feeding, clothing, visiting and ministering to people in need. Jesus' words make it very clear that reaching out to help people is important in God's eyes.
So how do we make sure we're tuned in and accomplishing this? When I hear about someone in need my first thoughts are typically about how my husband and I might help financially. But money isn't necessarily a requirement for helping others. So what are some other resources we can use in helping people? How are you using your resources to feed, clothe, visit, minister to those in need around you? Tami W.
I think time is a very useful tool in assisting others. Giving someone your time can be a very powerful thing, in today's busy world time can be as precious as the dollar. That being said as we are reminded of in this passage we are also called to be good stewards of the time entrusted to us...
As I went through today's devotional I was reminded of two books I have I have read: "The Prayer of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson and "The Go Giver" by Bob Burg and John David Mann.
In "The Prayer of Jabez" one of the things that we are encouraged to do as we pray for enlarged territory, is to be on the lookout for people who could do with some help, then go up to that person and ask, "May I help you?" or "How can I help you?" and then not to let them off the hook if they brush you off the first time - be sincere and honest and insist that maybe there could be some little way to help that person.
In "The Go Giver" we are given 5 laws of stratospheric success and the first four all have to do with helping others, putting them and their interests first and being willing to help them and the last is to let others help you because if everybody would only try to help there wouldn't be anybody to help.
Faithfulness is such a POWERFUL word that is beyond measure. In reading these two passage of scriptures I find within my spirit that it is very important to be sensitive to the giftings/callings placed within us. As the scripture says in Luke 12:48 To whom much is given, from him much will be required. However, until we as Christains tap into the faithfulness God so desires from us; we will miss the little areas of obedience when we are called to feed, clothe, visit or minister to the GLORY of God. My desire is to be a good FAITHFUL steward in my OBIDIENCE towards the heart of the Lord, which is setting the captives FREE. Think about it when you can clothe, feed, visit or minister to someone in their time of need how much more will they be RECEPTIVE to hearing the good news of the Lord. After all, it is about winning LOST souls. This is not about doing things to make us feel/look good in our flesh, but about being GOOD stewarts(FAITHFUL)over what God has placed in us and seeeking His WISDOM to use the resources within our realm of living. Praise/Glory be to God in the highest!
this helps me to preview my life in the morning and review it in the night it also helps me to realise that no matter how good i am as an individual i cant depend on my self effort but helps me to realise that we need God at all times it helps us to relinquish the control and allow God to take over proverbs 3