“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.” James 2:15-17
How does something dead appear? A deer lying on the side of a road. A tree in spring with no leaves. An aged guitar with no strings. An old rusted out truck with no glass, engine, or wheels. They all appear lifeless. The life in each has long been spent. Those dead material objects are easy to spot. What makes the spiritually dead visible?
Faith is observable. A person of faith will have a Christ-like demeanor. They display confidence even in the midst of adversity. Calmness in a storm, patience in trials, peace under pressure, and enduring strength. They can be seen loving others by sharing their time, energy, and resources. By nature, they are givers. Not simply at special times but throughout the year. You will see them serving others at a food pantry, volunteering at the hospital, reaching the homeless, visiting the sick and sitting with the homebound. Tirelessly the faithful demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ wherever they go. They live out their faith in action, not in words. They are not boastful or proud. Just grateful for serving opportunities.
Then there are those whose intentions are good but seldom follow through. They can be seen hanging around the doers, enjoying the fellowship, and planning things to do. Yet too often other priorities seem to get in the way. They are well meaning, have their hearts in the right place but their actions don’t match their words. They are givers in heart but not in practice.
It is a wonderful thing to give out of our abundance. But a much greater step of faith is to give out of our poverty. Jesus praised the widow who gave all she had to live on. Faith giving of this kind reveals a trust in the Lord to be the God of provision.
“Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure – pressed down, shaken together, and running over – will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38
Give away your last loaf of bread and watch for God to restore two or more in return!
Blessed by you…Bro. Sherman
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