The Beggar At Your Gate (Lu. 16:19-1)

Read Luke 16:19-31.

Certainly the rich man had sufficient resources to at least make sure that Lazarus had more than occasional crumbs.  Certainly the rich man had abundant resources to guarantee that Lazarus had more than two pennies now and them. No, the rich man couldn't alleviate all the suffering of all the beggars, but he surely could've done more fore this one beggar.

Ignorance was no excuse.  Lazarus was placed at the rich man's gate.  Each time the rich man came in or went out, there was Lazarus.  Were there times the rich man walked across Lazarus in order to get to the market?

What is the situation at your "gate"?  Perhaps it isn't a beggar.  It could be another situation.  What keeps you aloof from it or hesitant about helping?

Here are three action points from today's Bible verses:

1. Let us be cognizant of and grateful for the overall blessed lives we live.  (How fitting, since Thanksgiving Day is only five days away.)
2. Let us be sensitive to the pain, shortage, injustice and humiliation that surrounds us.  I guarantee you that there is no shortage of need.
3. Let us give more than the minimum.  Most of us can do a whole lot more than what we say we're comfortable doing.

Between Skeptic and Sucker

There is such a thing as healthy tension.  When it comes to benevolence, don't lose it.  That tension will help you make intelligent decisions about God's resources. 

On the one hand you don't want to be a skeptic.  Stuff happens.  Unforeseen circumstances are a fact of life.  People do have temporary down times. There are legitimate needs out there.  On the other hand you don't want to be a sucker.  Just because someone says there is a need doesn't mean you should meet the need.  The "need" may not be a need at all.  It might be a refusal to adjust one's lifestyle. 

Keep the tension.  Ask the hard questions.  Never process benevolence requests alone.  You'd be surprised how many times that extra phone call or contact saves you from a foolish decision.

New Ministry Announced 01.31.10

Last Sunday, Lisa announced the formation of a new ministry. People on food stamps are not able to purchase toiletries with food stamps. Food stamps can only be used for food items. Those toiletries are still needed, however.

Each week, we are asking you to bring in a selected item. All items can be purchased at the dollar store. We are only collecting 8 items right now. Each Sunday, we'll announce the item of the week. When enough of all 8 items have been collected, we will arrange a distribution.

Every donation must be given in its original packaging.

This week's item is toilet tissue.