God Helps Us Help Others
This month’s devotions are provided by WELS Congregational Services.
It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,
but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.Proverbs 14:21
At some point in time, many of us have been in need of some area of our life—physically, mentally, or spiritually. Who did God use to help meet your need? Could you ever thank them sufficiently? Could you ever thank God sufficiently?
As you look around, opportunities abound in the faces of people you can help in little and big ways. Some you know by name; others are only acquaintances. For some you could offer a word of encouragement or a listening ear. Some could use a helping hand. Some could use a loving word, some a stern word, or some just a word of God’s love.
Yes, this will take your time and some of the abundance God has given you in knowledge or possessions. Sometimes the gift is squandered. Sometimes the advice is taken, the gift used wisely, the promise of God’s grace received with thanksgiving. Sometimes you don’t know how it turns out. Jesus tells the parable of two believers who passed by a suffering fellow Jew on the road. But a Samaritan stopped to help, risked his own safety, generously gave, and spent the time to help someone who would normally be his enemy.
Martin Luther once spoke about helping others during the pandemic of 1527. He pointed out that a man who will not help others unless he can do so without risking his own safety or property will never help.
Why is your heart moved to help? It is because you know how Jesus helped you. He didn’t spare anything but gave himself up for you to make you right with God—forgiven, loved, and freed. His love compels us to love others, especially the needy neighbor.
Whenever we help others in need, it is a reminder of how helpless we were and are, but how God has helped us, continues to provide for our every need, and promises to bless us. “Blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”
God’s blessings as he opens your eyes to see and moves your heart to be kind to your need neighbor.