Caring

Distributing to the necessity of saints, given to hospitality

Romans 12:13

Brotherly love is a principle every Christian need in their hearts. When the Lord Jesus saved us, He placed in all His children the ability to love one another , because we are all bought by the blood of Christ and are thus in the same family of GOD. Worldly philosophy and fleshly ambitions and ways may hinder such love, yet it is a commandment of the Lord. And the way to overcome such prejudice and to be more Christ like is to obey the clear teachings of Scripture. How are we to have brotherly love? Paul teaches us the practice principles of care.

We are to distribute to the necessity of saints: there are many physical needs of Christians in the Roman Empire. Many Christians were slaves and therefore may be in dire needs. Paul instructs us to cater, not to the wants of the Christians but their needs. Necessity means pressing needs, something which the individual cannot do without. In Singapore, the needs may not be physical, but emotional whereby the heart is sorrowful, and need a kind word, and quiet presence. It may be social. In a people-squeezed society, whereby we are physically proximal to many, it is interesting that many are very lonely. We can distribute our time and energies to meeting these needs. It may be spiritual. There are many who are spiritually dead to Christ or spiritually dry, who are in Christ. We will need to distribute ourselves to refresh, and nourish these lives in discipleship and care.

We are to be given to hospitality. Hospitality is the act of practice of entertaining strangers and guests without reward. It also involves kind and generous liberality, the willing to give generosity. As believers, we need to have hearts that give, just as Christ gave. He gave His best that we may live. Paul instructs that we are to be given to hospitality, and this attribute needs to be part and parcel of our lives and character, to meet the needs of other brethren.

Paul teaches that Christians are to minister both to the saints and strangers alike. Are our hands stretched out to our needy brethren? Are our hearts opened to the hurting masses? We may not reach the whole world, but we can make a difference in one life. May the Lord help us to choose to live as He lived, and also to give as He gave.