I know three people who has been a shining light in helping saints in need. Without being told, they just send funds and instruct we give to widows, missionaries and believers in need. More like a continuation of what many believers did during the COVID-19 lockdown. They made giving to the saints in need a culture after the pandemic.
The surprising thing about these trio is that they don't know one another, they live in three different parts of the world but they have the same mind towards helping saints in need. Their help towards the needy saints comes after one another. Also, they love to be anonymous.
Through their altruism, students have been sent to school, missionaries have been supported, widows have been reached with the necessary support even to the point of putting roof over their head. Their lives challenge me personally. They are full of good works and I wish every believer emulate them.
The nature of my ministry brings me in contact with the poor and needy. In the course of my work, I meet real people with real challenges. Helping them has to be practical not only by prayers alone. I believe this is true of every missionary.
Often, I tell people that most missionaries I know are one of the greatest givers. I am yet to find a genuine missionary that is stingy yet they are not well funded. Most missionaries feed many mouths. The poor looks up to them for help. When you empower a missionary with funds, many families will be fed.
Why have you not been helping the poor? When was the last time you devoted a part of your fund just to help saints in need? Or is your gospel/ theology anti poor people?
In Proverbs 19:17, the bible says, "If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you". In Matthew 26:11(NLT), Jesus said, "You will always have the poor among you,..."
Some are poor not because they are lazy, they just do not have the opportunities you have. I know hardworking yet poor people. They just need someone to lift them out of poverty. That is why you must be grateful to God for where you are and be gracious towards them.
It doesn't cost much to help the poor. Don't wait till you have plenty before helping the poor. Those waiting for plenty before giving will not give when they have plenty. One of the ways we know a true believer is when they commit to helping the saints without coercion.
The day a woman interrupted a church service to testify because someone gave her ten thousand naira, I was touched. That scenario did not leave me till I got home.
That little in your hands is someone's breakthrough. Give it.
There is nothing you do for the poor saints that will go unrewarded. Jesus takes it personal.
Matthew 25:35, 40 NLT
[35] For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home
[40] “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!*"
