*1 John 3:17-18 NIV* “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
*3:17,18* These versus give an example of how to lay down our lives for others - to help those in need. This is strikingly similar to James teaching (James 2:14-17). How clearly do your actions say you really love others? Are you as generous as you should be with your money, possessions, and time?
Question for discussion about this topic.
Where do you draw the line with giving? What do you do with habitual beggars in the church who constantly beg from those who have more money than them rather than live a more responsible lifestyle. They use the money they need for necessities on frivolous things and then beg money for rent, gas, etc.
Or African's taking care of orphans who constantly beg on FB and say the orphans need food while they are getting fancy clothes and getting fat from going out to eat?
@mayahb this is a very good question, I love it. I can’t give you a “one size fits all” type of answer to this but I am happy to share what I apply in my life and hope that it helps give you some clarity. So the 1st thing I noticed in the Word was that it said if someone has plentiful and sees (takes note) of need and has no sympathy then they don’t reflect or display the love of God. I think the point being made is that they have the resources to make a difference but couldn’t care about anyone else and only concern themselves with stocking up their “barns”. My wife and I run a 2nd phase shelter (in our own home) where we help homeless and even those recently released from prison that have no family support etc, so we see need all the time and I must say it is extremely difficult to get people and companies to support our cause especially in times like we are facing. What we do to try make a difference outside of the people we already have living with us is that we partner up with....
