MEMORISE:
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Proverbs 19:17
READ: Acts 2:41-47
2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2:43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
MESSAGE
Christian Social Responsibility (CSR) is not a 21st century concept or idea; it has been with the Church from the beginning of the Christian faith. Today's Bible reading describes the format it took and the impact it had on the early Church. Of a truth, there are lots of blessings that accrue to us individually and collectively as the Body of Christ when we take CSR seriously. The Church of Christ stands the chance of being tremendously blessed if we take the issue of caring for the poor and downtrodden as part of our mission, beginning from our local environment to the ends of the earth. As individuals, we will be tremendously blessed if we give heed to the words of today's memory verse, which is part of the infallible word of God that never fails. My personal experience from giving to the poor is a testament to the veracity of this scripture.
There is this story of a Church leader who became a Christian as a result of the hospitality shown to him by a Christian couple during the Nigerian civil war. Accordingly to his account, he staggered into the camp of a Christian couple during the civil war, and they received him like their own kinsman, giving him a plateful of rice. A plate of rice during the civil war was worth a fortune, but they gave it to him because of the love of Christ. The man of God said he decided there and then to serve the God of this couple, who did not only provide for them during those austere times but also taught them to be good to others. He concluded in his heart that the God who made human beings as good as this couple must indeed be a very good God.
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
The Church at Philippi manifested certain virtues which triggered the declaration of this wonderful promise. Narrating what they did, Philippians 4:15-16 says:
"Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity."
It was their concern for the welfare of God's servant and the success of his assignment that moved heaven to release the wonderful promise in Philippians 4:19 to them. Beloved, let us go back to the basics of Christian hospitality and communal living, and it will not be long before the whole world will be won to Christ through our love, care and spirit of sharing.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please restore to Your Church the spirit of caring, sharing and love.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Ezra 7-8, Hosea 1
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 5: LET OTHERS SEE JESUS IN YOU
1. While passing thro' this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
Chorus:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story, be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2. Your life's a book before their eyes,
They're reading it thro' and thro'
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
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