What good is it?
James that half brother of Jesus wrote,
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20
What does your faith produce?
Do you do your best to help those around you?
Have you ever helped in a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, a food bank?
Have you ever put a money into the hat of someone begging on the side walk?
I know not everyone is cut out to help in homeless shelters, soup kitchens or food banks, but we can all do something. It takes very little effort to drop some money into the hands of someone begging on the street.
I know some people say giving to someone begging on the street encourages them to continue to do it, or worse they’ll only spend it on drugs.
While that may be so. There are those who are homeless that will use the money they receive for food and essentials.
Homelessness is a world wide phenomena. While we hear about the famine and refugee crisis around the world, which we should try to help if we can. We also need to remember those who are near to us.
Every major city in the world has people who live on the streets for a myriad of reasons. Many who live and work in the cities of the world pass them without a thought.
As believers in Christ Jesus we should however notice them and do what we can for them.
Now I’m not saying drop a dollar or two into the hat of everyone you see begging on the street. Most people can’t afford that. But every bit helps. Give a dollar hear and there. Give to reputable charities who help the needy. Encourage your church congregation to at the very least give something to the needy.
Please think about it.
James that half brother of Jesus wrote,
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20
What does your faith produce?
Do you do your best to help those around you?
Have you ever helped in a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, a food bank?
Have you ever put a money into the hat of someone begging on the side walk?
I know not everyone is cut out to help in homeless shelters, soup kitchens or food banks, but we can all do something. It takes very little effort to drop some money into the hands of someone begging on the street.
I know some people say giving to someone begging on the street encourages them to continue to do it, or worse they’ll only spend it on drugs.
While that may be so. There are those who are homeless that will use the money they receive for food and essentials.
Homelessness is a world wide phenomena. While we hear about the famine and refugee crisis around the world, which we should try to help if we can. We also need to remember those who are near to us.
Every major city in the world has people who live on the streets for a myriad of reasons. Many who live and work in the cities of the world pass them without a thought.
As believers in Christ Jesus we should however notice them and do what we can for them.
Now I’m not saying drop a dollar or two into the hat of everyone you see begging on the street. Most people can’t afford that. But every bit helps. Give a dollar hear and there. Give to reputable charities who help the needy. Encourage your church congregation to at the very least give something to the needy.
Please think about it.
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