Acts 11:27-30
“And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul."
Within the above text, God has given us a
Scriptural precedent for how we must respond to needy Christians. The
study of this text can be very helpful in times of famine, natural
disaster and tragedy. So, how should we respond to Christians who are in
need of help?
First, we must determine that there is a need. In Acts 11, the
Christians in Jerusalem were suffering from a “great famine.” A
shortage of food is indeed a great need. These Christians were not
trying to take advantage of their fellow Christians and they are not
guilty of being wasteful.
There is a difference between being needy, greedy or seedy. 1 Timothy
6:5 does indicate some will use “godliness” as “a means of
gain.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10 indicates that the Christian who
“will not work” should not “eat.” Obviously, in Acts 11 there
was a legitimate need.
Second, we should be ready to help when fellow brethren suffer.
Acts 11:29 states that the saints “determined to send relief to the
brethren…” In other words, they were ready and prepared to help when
help was needed. They did not leave it up to someone else, like the
priest and Levite in Luke 10, or just pray about it. Now was a time for
more than prayer. While prayer should be “without ceasing” (1
Thess. 5:17) it should not be a substitute for timely action.
Finally, we should help according to the Scriptural pattern.
These Christians do not send their money through an organization, nor do
they allow a “sponsoring church” to take care of the work. They “sent
it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:30).
The money is sent directly from the helping church to the needy church.
Following the Scriptural process avoids the extra step of a sponsoring
church, the extra cost of paying the workers of a charitable
organization and the extra confusion of allowing uninformed entities to
make the decision. Antioch sent to Jerusalem and allowed the elders of
that local work to distribute the relief among their own needy saints.
God’s way is the right way and works best. May we resign ourselves to
it.
October 2005