In this day and time, more people are struggling more than usual. Some of these problems started back in the pandemic. But either way, you never know what someone is going through unless you live with them.
Most people who are not doing well financially, mentally, physically, and spiritually will not or cannot reveal their living conditions to potential helpers. Still, their close acquaintances (friends) should know. Some of these suffering people believe God will rescue them from this misfortune. God may help these people, but he may not help how they expect him to.
All people should be on the lookout for struggling people (families). Some of these people may walk around with a smile and wear their best clothing; at the same time, they are hurting and struggling to make it daily. So, you may never know what someone is going through.
Determining who is struggling will have to be done by close relatives and friends; if their friends are observant and watchful, they already know which neighbors are struggling and going through hard times. If you have noticed your friends need some assistance, then, by all means, help them and ask other neighbors who can afford to help to assist.
A true friend will know when their close neighbors are in need without being told, don’t ask your needy neighbors if they need help because you already know they need help. Sometimes you have to force them to accept your support by taking whatever you have to offer to their residence or someplace they can access and leaving the assistance there. Some needy neighbors may say no with their mouths, but their hearts are saying something different.
It would help if you asked your neighbors to tell all the neighbors in the neighborhood to be on the lookout for people they think may need some assistance. Tell other neighbors who can assist them if you cannot help them. I know people do not want their personal life or living conditions spread all over the neighborhood, so be as secretly as possible, but by all means, get them some assistance if you can.
While Jesus will support and protect his people, many people struggling to survive today don’t know Jesus. They cannot ask someone they don’t know for help, so it is the duty of the Christians who know Jesus to help them and pray for Jesus to assist their neighbors with their needs.
Every time you sit down and have a meal, remember there is someone somewhere who does not have the pleasure of having a meal. Just because someone is financially OK does not mean they are spiritually OK. That is another job that Christian neighbors are responsible for, sharing the good news and praying for one another.
We have to make it a habit of making ourselves available to other people, whether they are in need or not. Seek out something you can do to help others; someone will benefit from it, whether it is something significant or something small.
We have got to start helping our neighbors and anyone who needs assistance. OK, you cannot provide financial aid because you are not financially stable. Search your heart and mind, and you will discover there is something you can contribute, do so, and you will receive a blessing.
James 2:14-17 14. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15. If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16. and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body; what good is that? 17. So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
by: Ron S.