Various disasters over the years have shown that when God’s people are able to jump in with relief, medicine, and whatever forms of assistance are required, those who are unsaved are often more receptive to the Gospel being shared alongside the cup of cold water.
We are watching the setup for disasters that Scripture has foretold would come upon the earth before the Rapture would take place. These disasters are not to be confused with the Great Tribulation, but are a lead-up to that time according to Christ’s words in Matthew 24. As believers, we are to be ready to share the Gospel at all times, and ready to give to those in need.
There are many other verses in Scripture that talk about this, but the three that keep rolling around my head these days are these:
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
1 Timothy 5:8As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:10Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
Proverbs 3:27-28
It is interesting to read the verses just before those in Proverbs 3. The verse in Timothy is in the middle of a series of verses discussing meeting the needs of those who may be deemed less fortunate within the Church body. The idea that someone would not provide for the needs of those within his own family was clearly anathema to God as He inspired those words through Paul to Timothy. But God doesn’t expect our support of family to be kept within our own four walls. Scripture is clear on various occasions that not only do we provide for ourselves and our own homes, but for those nearby and even for those far away. This is why we give to local charities, local missions groups, local outreach groups and those who are overseas as well.
As the times get darker, refusing to take steps to look after the needs of your own household is both short-sighted and presuming upon God to do for you what you otherwise have the means to do for yourself, means that He gave you. I am occasionally seeing people say they will rely on God for their provision if the days get so dark they can’t provide for themselves. I am seeing voices say we shouldn’t be focussed on providing for the day we can’t shop and be more focussed on sharing the Gospel.
Scripture would have me focus on both. Provision for my household, laying something by to help someone else in need if I can put it by, and reaching them with the Gospel at the same time. We can’t be Christ’s hands and feet if all we focus on is being His mouth, and yet Scripture demonstrates Christ meeting people’s needs for health and food just as He spoke to their spirits.
So let us not be unwise in forsaking the long-term provisional needs of our households, but be wise with the resources God has provided already, so that when calamity comes, and it’s already here in various parts of the world, we are able to not merely survive, but help others as well. We can truly be God’s hand extended when hard times come.
