So, what came up was James 2 and why on Earth I would travel half way around the Earth to adopt four children - cashing in my retirement fund in the process? To him, how stupid could I possibly be?
Please take a gander at James 1:26 through 2:26, so you can see the basis for the discussion.
Care For The Widows and Orphans
It is amazing to me the willingness to be ignorant in this culture and day! If we roll the clock back to the birth of my Great Uncle Leonard, 1844, life was extremely different! No, I am not talking about the worthless inventions of the 20th Century, they are mostly just changing the technology of what already existed: travel, entertainment, business process, etc.. Different does not necessarily mean better, it just may mean faster, but speed does not dictate improvement.
Back when my uncle was born: women were mostly just a piece of property, somewhat better than slaves but without the ability to inherit or own tangible property - it created a victim mentality millennia ago and was true even into the 20th Century. Life was not awesome if you were not amongst the free landowners or did not marry well.
So, you are female, your father or husband dies, you do not have an adult child or close kin to take you in ... you are going to do what with yourself to support yourself and /or any children? Yeah, manual labor, if you can get it, prostitution or finding a sugar daddy. Your options were limited by law and society, your needs growing greater. I fully understand. My friend, not so much.
"You just go and get a job!" I had to explain to him that the culture of this country is far different than the rest of the world and the role of women almost non-existent even to this day. I left him with something to think about.
The orphan was equally damaged by this same mentality. You are someone else's child, which mean you are someone else's responsibility! If they are dead, you shortly will be as well. This is still the mentality in much of the world toward orphans - something to be bought, sold and exploited ...
First Century Church
In the first century world of James, as he wrote this, neither a widow, nor an orphan, had any right to property, hence no food and no hope as well.
So, "You as a Christian, are to be the revolutionary against the world's system and culture, and you are to ... ?"
He had no answer.
"You are to offer hope to the helpless, but there is no hope without your also becoming involved in their lives and helping them!"
He just stared at me for a few minutes and commented that, that is not where he is in life, at this time ... ("If ever.", muttered under his breath.)
Sigh.
Social Services
Any form of Social Services used to be the role of the Church and one of the reasons the lost came to the Church. The Church members actually cared more about others than themselves. The Government has replaced the Church and those in need have become "out of sight / out of mind" to the Church today. The very idea of a Church taking care of its own, much less non-members, is inconceivable in most Churches. In the area where I now live, we have a consortium of churches which have created a food bank and basic social services - without any personal involvement what-so-ever on the part of the Church membership ... Not quite the model the 1st century Church demonstrated.
YOU
Of course, this next part was lost on my friend as well:
- You are to be unstained by the world
- You are to have the heart of a servant
- You must turn to Jesus for ALL things
- You are not to be judgmental in supplying the needs of others
You also are not to encourage the debasement of the needy.
Think in terms of "Well, I see you are hungry, you can work for me for food." No, not quite what we are told to do.
"Well, I see you are a meth addict so you got your own problems. Bye." Again, not what we are told to do!
You do not have to give an addict money, you can offer a meal from McDonald's. Or, carry gift certificates to McDonald's. You can hand out little flyers that cover where shelter is available, and food, in your area. You can even help them to find work - if they are willing to. All the while being mindful that as a woman or a man, you are not going to be helping strangers of the opposite sex. Nor are you going to be exposing your family to unknown danger. Be wise!
On the one hand, needy stranger could be an angel testing your commitment. More than likely it is someone driven by the control of Satan and will wreak havoc in your life if given the opportunity to. Even those you know to be committed Christians can behave in manners wholly unbecoming your charity and intent - because they are sold out to the world and will only see through the eyes of evil.
Sigh ...
And yet, you are to willing, flexible and able to give as opportunity presents itself.
So, your prayer is for DISCERNMENT, something lacking in almost all Christians in this culture; a Servants HEART, giving and not taking; and WISDOM. Armed with these three, the first century Church turned the western world upside down! Equally armed, the Church of the 21st century can do the same!
But, do notice the diminishing impact the Church has in this world today. Can you guess why?
Other Verse To Consider
Matthew 7:21
Luke 6:46
Galatians 6:10
Titus 2:14, 3:8
1 John 3:17 - 18
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