The Bible Rationale
picture of a village girl Bruce took on last year's visit to Latin America
We’re still way off-line in the Llanos somewhere. I asked Bruce “what does Llanos mean?” (I haven’t come across that word in Rosetta Stone yet…only words like beber, comer, correr, ninos…) He says it means “the plain.” That’s what the Llanos is: the flatland that contrasts nicely with the Andes that run down the middle (somewhat) of Colombia. Mauricio has been telling us that getting across the Llanos in the 4x4 to El Viento will take 14 hours. We'll give you a full report soon. In the meantime...
We got to talking last night about how much there is in the Bible about helping the poor. I’ll admit that up until a year or so ago I really wasn’t aware of how much there is about this. Then for part of our Meal-a-Day website, we put together a collection of passages (http://www.cmadfa.com/contact/contact/scripture.html ) and I was impressed by the number of statements, in both Old and New Testaments about the subject…simple statements like “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed; rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Ps. 82:3-4) or “He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Prov. 14:31). It’s these kinds of statements that are the driving force behind Meal-a-Day’s work.
waiting in the clinic in Peru (photo from last year)
But there is so much poverty, so much need in the world that it’s impossible to imagine that we can really do much about it. I appreciate what an absolutely tiny drop in an ocean of need Meal-a-Day represents! So what’s the use? Well, for one thing, any person who is helped IS a person who is helped. It makes a difference for that person and Jesus is about individuals not about numbers.
Maybe what is more important is how helping others affects us. It puts me more in touch with reality as I see that most of the world outside the U.S. has substantially less than I do. It makes me very conscious of and thankful for my blessings. I’m hopeful that it contributes to God’s pleasure in a small way.
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about judgment. He lets us know that he thinks compassion for the least, the most vulnerable people is very important to him. He tells us that he considers service done for the poor as service done for him.
What do you think? Why is helping others important to you? Why should helping the needy in the world be important to us as a community?
September 16th, 2009 - 16:31
It sounds like helping the poor makes you (or any of us) feel like we are doing something useful in our service to our father in heaven and Jesus. Is “useful” the point though, maybe we gain a better understanding of how our father looks after us and so we worship him by helping others.
September 18th, 2009 - 03:32
We totally agree Steve. It is incredible how many passages speak of our obligation to help the poor. Jesus himself helped those in need and talked of selling everything and giving it to the poor. With so much access through communications and transportation advances to desperately poor communities there is an obligation rather than an option to help. This sort of charitable work that CMADFA is doing is an amazing shift in the way we as Christadelphians shine our lights.
September 18th, 2009 - 13:41
If everyone did this (what CMaDFA does, what you’re doing, what any helpful person is doing), then there would be no one truly in desperate need. Sure, people would still get sick, people would still die. No, we can’t solve all of the world’s poverty. Yes, Jesus even said that – “the poor you always have with you.” Matt 26:11, But he wasn’t saying that to indicate that supporting the poor was not vitally important! He was just saying that serving Jesus and His Father is most important. And how can we better accomplish that than by supporting the poor? How better can we reflect the unfailing love of the Creator? It is one of the few ways that we as humans can truly reflect the character of our Creator, and for that it is vitally important. We wish to be more like Him in every way!
September 19th, 2009 - 23:41
Do unto others as you would have done unto you, or your family, or your children. Our hearts should be broke by the things that break the heart of God.
September 21st, 2009 - 21:22
You are teaching us living lessons we need to continualy be reminded about , feeding the poor and needy, the many bible verses are great to review . Our prayers are with you for your continued safe journey .
September 23rd, 2009 - 08:31
Bruce & Steve: What an eye opener! We see pictures on TV and in the many
requests from charitable organizations that come in every week but the CMADA fund really helps to fund projects that show results. Some of your videos and comments brought a tear to my eyes and I realize that this is a truly Scriptural need being filled in a positive way. Thank you both for your effort. May God bless you in your efforts. Cec