“GIVING THAT PROVES SAVING FAITH”

“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 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?”

James 2:15-16

In a perfect world, everyone should be equal; there are no poor people. Each family can feed its members and supply them with clothes that are appropriate for the season. However, this is not the world. While all of us need food and clothing, not everyone has something to eat when he’s hungry or something to keep himself warm when it’s cold. Poor people exist. They were here two thousand years ago; they are still here today.

Even the church, the very institution Christ purchased with His precious blood, has poverty-stricken members who do not have any guarantee they’d eat three times a day—let alone have clothes appropriate for their needs. But the question is this: do we do enough to help ease their suffering?

James, the Lord’s half-brother, is believed to have penned this letter, which resembles the Old Testament book Proverbs. He urges his readers to live wisely and exhibit godly behavior as a sign of genuine saving faith.

In chapter 2, James points out that good works demonstrate real faith. He argues that if someone claims to have faith, but it does not lead to good works, his faith is dead. To illustrate his point, he gives a picture of a poor believer who is hungry and doesn’t have the right clothes. Such a scenario painted the reality of the era, mainly because poverty was rampant in the Roman Empire.

To be sentimental about the hungry and destitute brother but fail to address his immediate need does not prove one’s faith to be genuine. We might tell, “I feel sorry for you brother; but don’t worry, God will provide your food and clothing.” The assessment is right. It means we did not close our eyes to his needs. We sounded religious. We are even biblically correct (God provides). But how did our kind words change the poor brother’s situation?

If we have a genuine concern for him, not only should pray for him or wish him well, but we should also go to our pantry to get some food and cabinet to get some clothes for him. That would show we truly care for him and prove our faith is real.

Generosity isn’t reserved for our fellow Christians. We are to welcome anyone who comes to us, regardless of their spiritual stance, and address their immediate needs—when it’s in our power to help. Compassionate giving is all-inclusive; it’s never exclusive. Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan is a perfect example of this truth.

The Lord said, “You will always have the poor among you...” and He was right. As long as we live in this world, we will always see the effects of The Fall, and poverty is among them. But one of the reasons God called us is to be there for the helpless and powerless people. If God blessed us to the point of overflow, don’t you think that He might have meant it to be shared with others?

Will you try to look around and see if you can help someone? You may have more than enough food to share and clothes you no longer wear to re-assign to someone else. Besides, it’s nice to free up some space in your probably cluttered wardrobe. Let your faith result in compassionate giving.

Pursue the Savior today!