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Inspiratons From The Mountains
August 31, 2009
It’s not unusual here on Bearwallow to find a neighbor’s lost hunting dog wandering around our yard. The first thing he does when he sees us is start begging and whining because he’s hungry and needing help.
What do we do? Ignore him? Chase him away? Some folks would, but others have a heart for God’s creatures, and will do the right thing. A smart hunter will usually have a collar on his dog that gives the owner’s name and phone number. A caring person will call so the owner can come and fetch the dog. This not only meets the dog’s needs, but is a marvelous opportunity to make new friends. And often this is a God ordained meeting to minister to a hurting neighbor.
Dearly Beloved, now as never before, opportunity is knocking. Yes, it’s banging on our doors. It’s not clothed in the fur of a lost hunting dog, but is clad in the garments of the unemployed, desperate, homeless, hopeless victims of our economy that hover nearby. Dare we ignore them or chase them away like some old hunting dog that is being a bother to us? Never! We must be a Barnabas. Barnabas, a Levite of the country of Cypress, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36. God’s plan was for the church to be the welfare system, but it was to be voluntary, driven by love, not ruled by the government. In light of this, we must rise to the challenge and seize the opportunity.
Few of us have land to sell but we all have something to give. As Christ followers we are to give willingly of what we have to meet the needs of those who have nothing. Some may say, “But I have nothing to give.” Oh yes you do. You can pray, be a friend, be a servant. …through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13.
We can give them food for the body, encouragement for the soul, or the gospel for the spirit. He(John) answered and said to them, He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise. Luke 3:11.
Who knows? Some day it might be us in need, and if we have given it will be turned back to us many times over. Give and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38
I’m going to be a Barnabas! How about you? –Rebecca Somoskey
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