07/10/2013 - ACTIONS THAT SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

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Well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

I Timothy 5:10

Certain things we do are sometimes considered no big deal, but in God’s eyes they have great importance. People may not see much potential in you but if you are not a selfish person, a self-centered individual, if you bring up your children in the fear of the Lord, you practice hospitality, you “wash” the saints’ feet, you relieve the afflicted and follow diligently every good work, then your score is high in the heavens.

Upon a command of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul banned a widow under sixty years old who had had more than a husband from receiving support from the church (I Timothy 5:9). Widows should be commanded for good work on behalf of the needy. Those, however, who did not fit those requirements would not be helped by the church. Based on these guidelines we notice that God’s work must be conducted as something serious.

The truth is that the church is not a charity or a gathering of people living on tithes and offerings. Even in the divine family, we see people who are non God-fearing, who waste their lives in frivolities and sin. Then, when a problem arises, some people think it is fair to give those people that which should be used in the accomplishment of the Lord’s work.

According to Paul, raising children is another qualification required to apply for assistance in God’s house. However, nowadays there are some who do not want to have children. They say that children represent too much work and prevent them from growing professionally. But raising children is one of the most beautiful and most important tasks in the eyes of the Lord. After all, children are His inheritance (Psalm 127:3).

Today, lodging strangers is a bit risky, but when the Almighty tells us to do it there is no danger that can keep us from obeying Him. The washing of the feet was necessary in biblical days, but the act of humbling oneself and “washing” the feet of the servants of the Lord is very rewarding. We should also relieve the afflicted, those who are under ordeals. In short, God’s servants must be zealous in every good work.

Many are the people who have become wanton against Christ. Some even abandon the ministry in order to get married, which make them reproachable for giving up on their mission. Among us there should never be idleness, gossip, intrigue and profane babblings. All of us should marry and be fine administrators of our household, without giving any reason for the adversary to say anything against us or giving up our divine calling. In doing so, people will not serve Satan.

In Christ with Love,

R. R. Soares