UPPER ROOM OR SUPPER ROOM CHRISTIAN? Pt.6

HELPING NEEDY BRETHREN

In the early church, a number of believers lost their jobs and means of livelihood because they abandoned Judaism for Christianity. In that era, Judaism was interwoven into the fabric of their society and national life. It was impossible to be in business, career, military and other profession without being a Judaizer. The moment anyone renounces Judaism, he/she will be persona non grata within the society, among families and friends. It would be practically impossible to get a job let alone practice craft with other craftsmen. Also, business patronage will be gone. This affected many of the early believers but they found themselves in a community of men and women who sacrificed so much to help them ameliorate their condition. It was said about the brethren in the early church that: "There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need."(Acts4:34-35 NLT). That's a huge sacrifice.

Today, can the same be said about us and the church? We are not talking about pampering lazy people who want to hide under the umbrella of the church to milk us dry but here my concern is about those in genuine need. We have them around us but often we fail to identify them because we've lost the heart of compassion the early church had towards those in need. Having an upper room heart isn't about prayer and speaking in tongues only, it must show in our disposition towards those in need among the brethren. Apostle Paul said, "When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality."(Romans 12:13 NLT). Supper room believers think about themselves only and do not care for the brethren a bit.

Jesus takes our help to the brethren personally. He sees it as something done to Him directly. "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. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “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!’" (Matthew25:35-36, 40 NLT). The early church did not have a class of haves and have nots. Everyone appeared as though they were in the same class. No special seat for a honourable because everyone bought with the blood of Christ were regarded as honourable. The Lord need to restore the lost art of compassion towards needy brethren back to the church. Let me leave you with the admonition of Paul: "Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith."(Gal6:10).