Reaching Out : Open Arms
"All who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need."
—Acts 2:44–45 NKJV
The concept of sharing has been around as long as people have.
But in the days of the early church, that concept took on a whole new meaning.
Jesus taught that people ought to share willingly with others, not just when it was convenient.
He encouraged His followers to take care of “widows and orphans,” not only because they couldn’t take care of themselves, but also because there is a spiritual benefit to helping.
There is a heavenly reward for earthly unselfishness.
It takes a heart motivated by love to give up or share something from the one’s possessions. But that is what Jesus taught, and the lesson is as valid today as it was back then.
Your possessions include everything that you own, all your material goods—lawn mower, car, kitchen appliances, dishes, books, clothes, furniture, even money.
But your possessions also include such valuable commodities as time, talent, and attention.
Sharing your possessions with others often requires sacrifice, but God doesn’t ask that you give indiscriminately.
The first group of people you should reach out to are those with whom you do life—your family, friends, small group members.
Then, consider giving to just about anyone else with a need.
Before you give things away, however, examine the need.
Is the person unable to meet that need by himself or herself?
Will your assistance improve the person’s situation, or will it perpetuate an unhealthy habit?
If by reaching out you can make a positive difference, it is probably what you should do.
Sometimes, though, you won’t be able to effectively assess the validity of a need. That’s okay. It may be worth the risk.
Ask God to help you make a good decision, and then do it. Perhaps you know a skill that can help out a neighbor.
Can you fix a leaky faucet? Paint window trim? Format a computer’s hard drive? Maybe you can give the gift of time.
Do you know a friend who is hurting? Your patient, listening ear can be a tremendous gift.
Or perhaps you can share your material goods.
A family with a suddenly reduced income may appreciate your gift of food, clothing, or even some money to help with bills.
The better you know the people you care about, the more readily and effectively you’ll be able to reach out in times of need.
Jesus said that whatever you do to help others, you are also doing for Him. Sure makes reaching out a lot easier, doesn’t it?
Reverend Calvin Wyatt /email: /[email protected] /[email protected].
"All who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need."
—Acts 2:44–45 NKJV
The concept of sharing has been around as long as people have.
But in the days of the early church, that concept took on a whole new meaning.
Jesus taught that people ought to share willingly with others, not just when it was convenient.
He encouraged His followers to take care of “widows and orphans,” not only because they couldn’t take care of themselves, but also because there is a spiritual benefit to helping.
There is a heavenly reward for earthly unselfishness.
It takes a heart motivated by love to give up or share something from the one’s possessions. But that is what Jesus taught, and the lesson is as valid today as it was back then.
Your possessions include everything that you own, all your material goods—lawn mower, car, kitchen appliances, dishes, books, clothes, furniture, even money.
But your possessions also include such valuable commodities as time, talent, and attention.
Sharing your possessions with others often requires sacrifice, but God doesn’t ask that you give indiscriminately.
The first group of people you should reach out to are those with whom you do life—your family, friends, small group members.
Then, consider giving to just about anyone else with a need.
Before you give things away, however, examine the need.
Is the person unable to meet that need by himself or herself?
Will your assistance improve the person’s situation, or will it perpetuate an unhealthy habit?
If by reaching out you can make a positive difference, it is probably what you should do.
Sometimes, though, you won’t be able to effectively assess the validity of a need. That’s okay. It may be worth the risk.
Ask God to help you make a good decision, and then do it. Perhaps you know a skill that can help out a neighbor.
Can you fix a leaky faucet? Paint window trim? Format a computer’s hard drive? Maybe you can give the gift of time.
Do you know a friend who is hurting? Your patient, listening ear can be a tremendous gift.
Or perhaps you can share your material goods.
A family with a suddenly reduced income may appreciate your gift of food, clothing, or even some money to help with bills.
The better you know the people you care about, the more readily and effectively you’ll be able to reach out in times of need.
Jesus said that whatever you do to help others, you are also doing for Him. Sure makes reaching out a lot easier, doesn’t it?
Reverend Calvin Wyatt /email: /[email protected] /[email protected].
EMP0WERMENT
For
REACHING OUT WITH OPEN ARMS
I Will...
Know that there is a spiritual reward for reaching out to others.
Consider all the times someone has reached out to me and be thankful.
Consider what it means to be willing to share. yes no Share from my resources willingly.
Look for opportunities to reach out to others.
Evaluate my level of selfishness.
Know that it’s normal to sometimes feel a little selfish.
Things to Do...
Ask God to give you an unselfish spirit.
Contact a local charity and ask what the current greatest needs are.
Give what you can to help meet those needs.
Take stock of your material goods and come up with three ways you can use these items to help someone you know.
Clean out your garage or attic and donate as much stuff as possible to a local organization such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army.
Give up an activity you enjoy (such as watching a favorite television show or reading the newspaper) and use the time instead to talk with a needy friend or neighbor.
Things to Remember...
Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 JOHN 3:17 NKJV
Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, 1 give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
LUKE 19:8 NKJV
God is fair; he will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people. And he will remember that you are still helping them. HEBREWS 6:10 NCV
Jesus said, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”
LUKE 16:9 NIV
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 NKJV
"God has given us two hands—one for receiving and the other for giving."
—BILLY GRAHAM
"We must not only give what we have; we must also give what we are."
—DÉSIRÉ JOSEPH MERCIER
Know that there is a spiritual reward for reaching out to others.
Consider all the times someone has reached out to me and be thankful.
Consider what it means to be willing to share. yes no Share from my resources willingly.
Look for opportunities to reach out to others.
Evaluate my level of selfishness.
Know that it’s normal to sometimes feel a little selfish.
Things to Do...
Ask God to give you an unselfish spirit.
Contact a local charity and ask what the current greatest needs are.
Give what you can to help meet those needs.
Take stock of your material goods and come up with three ways you can use these items to help someone you know.
Clean out your garage or attic and donate as much stuff as possible to a local organization such as Goodwill or The Salvation Army.
Give up an activity you enjoy (such as watching a favorite television show or reading the newspaper) and use the time instead to talk with a needy friend or neighbor.
Things to Remember...
Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 JOHN 3:17 NKJV
Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, 1 give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.”
LUKE 19:8 NKJV
God is fair; he will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people. And he will remember that you are still helping them. HEBREWS 6:10 NCV
Jesus said, “Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.”
LUKE 16:9 NIV
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2 CORINTHIANS 9:6 NKJV
"God has given us two hands—one for receiving and the other for giving."
—BILLY GRAHAM
"We must not only give what we have; we must also give what we are."
—DÉSIRÉ JOSEPH MERCIER
A Clarion Call:
If you have not yet received the Lord Jesus into your life, or you once received Him but backslid, make yourself available of this opportunity and pray this prayer: There is no degree of sin the Lord cannot blot out. Do not postpone, for tomorrow may be too late.
Father I come before you as a sinner (Romans 3:23)
I sincerely repent of my sins (Acts 3:19)
I believe that Jesus died and was resurrected to grant me salvation
(John 3:16)
Today, as I receive Him into my heart by faith, grant me grace,
not to go back to my old sinful ways (Proverbs 28:13)
Thank you Lord for saving me.
