Caring is Not Optional

povertyMy brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, “Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!”? What good is it if you don’t actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity. Someone might claim, “You have faith and I have action.” But how can I see your faith apart from your actions? Instead, I’ll show you my faith by putting it into practice in faithful action. (Jam 2:14-18 CEB)

 There are thirty plus scriptures that talk about helping the poor and needy, and yet, so many Christians seem to think that helping the poor is optional, or those that are poor are losers, welfare bums, lazy or time wasters. The reality is that 43.1 million people fall below the poverty line.  Many of them are working two or more jobs and still cannot make enough to live. Becoming poor is really easy, getting your share of the American Dream is almost impossible.  Getting in poverty just takes one serious illness, losing your job or a major disaster.

 If we truly are a people of faith, then we should put that faith into action. The kingdom of God is all about transformation and change. Our ministry should be about caring and sharing. We should hold corporate America to account by showing them what profit is and what is greed. And what the Bible says about treating you workers fairly. And we need to remind our politicians what it means to serve. If we are going to make America great again, then it should be every America and not just a few.

 

About Terry Threadwell

Dr. Terry Threadwell has thirty five years ministry experience. Author, educator and Director of the Institute of Progressive Pentecostal Studies.
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