As I write this article, the Annex basement is full of flood relief items from central Ohio. Why is it in our Annex basement? Well the churches in the flooded areas are overflowing with "relief" at the moment. There was no room to store this shipment until it can be distributed. Does that mean they do not need any more? No! Many people are still without a place to live. The shelters set up in local schools are shutting down so school can resume. But many people cannot move back to their home yet and some will have to level their homes and rebuild. The need for help will continue for a long time. As we consider this need, two passages come to mind, Galatians 6:7-10 and Matthew 25:31-40. Galatians reads,
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Matthew records Jesus saying,
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Some observations from the above passages. First, we need to help whoever we can in this time of great need for as long as we can. Paul applied the law of sowing and reaping to helping all people conditioned upon not growing weary of well doing. The long-term needs in eastern North Carolina could test our commitment to well doing. We must not think we have helped enough, now it is time for someone else to take over. The needs will not be met in a few weeks, so our desire to help should last as long as the need.
Second, the Lord makes it clear we must help others of the faith. Matthew 25 clearly states this. We have a special responsibility in helping our brethren. James uses the physical needs of brethren as an example of faith in action (James 2:14ff). But we also, according to Paul, need to help others who are not a part of the church. Helping those outside of the church is one way we allow out lights to shine before men that God may be glorified (Matthew 5:13-16).
How can we help? With financial contributions. There are going to be many people who cannot afford to repair their homes. The government will not help everyone in this condition. We can also help with donations of food and cleaning supplies. Workers will also be needed. The cleaning out process has begun. The streets are lined with ruined furniture, carpet, dry wall board, etc. That is the beginning of what must be done. The walls will need repairing, the houses will need cleaning from the flood waters effects. The need will continue on for a long time. Let us here at Warners Chapel not grow weary in our well doing.
Denny