Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same (Luke 3:10).
Those with none need those with some and those with some need to be generous with those with none. Our love for the Lord does not let us sit still when another needy soul is without. We pray for a need to be met, but we also offer our stuff in answer to our prayers. Like a holy offering to God we place our stuff on His altar of compassion. Christ can entrust more to those who hold an open hand. Our life is a canal for cargo ships of care to carry our stuff to others.
Instead of complaining about a single parent’s unkept yard, consider its anonymous care. Invest in a monthly bus or train ticket for a friend who needs transportation to look for a job. Take the children of a family out of work to buy school clothes and supplies. Create work around your house or at your work that gives others opportunity to work. Look up your local food bank and become a volunteer and/or contributor. Share your extra stuff with those in need in Jesus' name.
Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58:7)
Helping hands are heaven’s call for those who have extra. How can we enjoy self indulgence and ignore one who has none? Thus, we pray for a couple we can give gas gift certificates to, so they can travel to visit a friend. Maybe for every bottle of water we consume, we provide a bottle of water for a child where water is not easily accessible. For every pair of shoes we buy, we provide a pair of shoes for some other barefoot believer. Maybe our prayer is for anything we buy ourselves, who can we purchase the same for? Those with none need our extra some.
Lastly, look to the Lord for who to help and how much to help. The Holy Spirit will lead you and your family in the creative care process. You could match every dollar a person invests to pay down their debt. Use your small investment in another to leverage a large feeling of being loved. A little bit of encouragement may be all another needs not to give up and keep going for God. Jesus gave His all, so we could be forgiven of all. Those with none need those with some!
I [Jesus] needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me (Matthew 25:36).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, lead me by Your Spirit to give my some to those with none.
Related Readings: Job 31:19-20; Ezekiel 18:16; Isaiah 16:4; Luke 10:33-37; Hebrews 13:2