A majority of today’s celebrities have a cause. Whether it’s cancer research, animal rights, human rights, global warming, or a myriad of other charitable undertakings, countless high-profile actors and professional athletes have sought to use their platform of popularity to evoke change.
Instead of considering the impetus behind these stars’ good deeds, however, let’s look at our motivation and the reasons we may not be personally involved in serving others. With that in mind, how much are you like Job (chapter 29:11-17) who:
• Assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help?
• Caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy?
• Wept for those in trouble, and grieved for the needy?
• Served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame?
• Was a father to the poor and assisted strangers? In contrast, how much do you epitomize Jerusalem’s “younger sister” Sodom (Ezekiel 16:49-50) who:
• Was arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned?
• Did not help the poor and needy who suffered right outside her door?
• Was haughty and did detestable things before God? Now consider these ways to love others as Jesus loves:
• Be genuine in loving and honoring other people (Romans 12:9-10).
• Be hospitable and humbly enjoy ordinary people (vv.13,16).
• Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn (v.15).
Our motivation to do good works should flow from our love for God. Today, ask Him to align your heart with empathy and compassion and to propel you into a life of sacrificial and deeply fulfilling devotion to Him and to others.
More:
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? (1 John 3:17).
Next:
Ask God to align your heart with empathy and compassion. What prevents you from reaching out to others with God’s love?
Soldier4Christ on March 21, 2010 at 4:56 am
Oh Lord God, my prayer today is that I may have eyes like Jesus. May I have a heart of compassion for those who are less fortunate, and may I have a burning desire in my heart for those who are lost so that they may be found and come into the light that is Jesus Christ.
bethanyF on March 21, 2010 at 9:15 am
Amen Soldier. I Pray that I may have compassion and the Love of Christ in all that I do.
Gary4orphans on March 21, 2010 at 4:17 pm
As always Roxanne thanks for your posts about the poor. It is a strange thing to me. We have literally thousands of people who visit our social networking site and say all manner of good things about us and our work for the poor. They say all the right things, but we have not seen donations that back up their words of encouragement. If every one of those people donated just $1.00 per month, they could completely fund our education of the poor in Liberia. Wishing us well is good, but according to James, people need to follow up with the practical aspect or it means nothing. I know our ministry is in no way unique in this and all I can do here is encourage anyone reading this, to go beyond words of well wishes and find a ministry God has put on your heart to write a check to. Even a little amount, faithfully given, would do so much real good beyond the lip service of wishing well. Please pray God will direct you to a ministry that He wants you to not only pray for and say nice things about, but take the next step, and write the check.
Paul G on March 21, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Gary4Orphans – I agree with you – My wife and I are child ambassadors for World Vision and despite the overwhelming need and desperation in the lives of so many we often find it difficut to find people willing to sponsor a child (even when that clearly could financially) – I pray with some regularity that God would break my heart over the things that break His heart. Perhaps this needs to be the prayer of all our hearts.
unionwife on March 21, 2010 at 10:22 pm
To Gary: I can understand your frustration. But I’m sure many people think like I do – I can send money far away from home, or I can donate money here. Some people have a hard time giving money unless you make it a tangible thing (one cup of coffee a month!). As for myself, I see the homeless begging in the street everyday and some one panhandles at least once a week on the train. It’s hard for me to give money, but I think I’ll start taking extra snacks with me to give them. Some of these people have nicer shoes than me!
I guess the bottom line is whether it’s our time, our supplies (food, towels, blankets), or our funds, if we are blessed we need to pass the blessing on! Want a fun way to pass it on? Next time your on line waiting for your order at the deli or fast food place, pay for the person behind you. Instant gratification!!
Father God, help us today to remember to give to others what You have so generously given to us.
Gary4orphans on March 22, 2010 at 9:28 am
Hi Unionwife: Thanks. I hope everyone understood I was not specifying it “had to be” foreign missions. I too support domestic ones. I try to be well balanced in my personal giving. My point is that people would find “A” charity to support, faithfully, foreign or domestic, but to go beyond prayer and encouragement, as important as those elements are, and just take the next step, write a check to “somebody” out there in the trenches doing the work. People think if they can’t afford $25.00 or more there is no point. That’s not true. Send $10.00, send $5.00, send $2.00 but send something faithfully each month to somebody doing the work of the Lord.
Don Grindell on April 30, 2010 at 12:22 pm
The conversion of one “celebrity” or one rich person can do much good, let’s consider praying for and working for the conversion of the rich and famous.