"Distributing to the needs of the Saints" ~Romans 12:13a (New King James)
Some other translations of the bible render this verse as:
The Message: "Help needy Christians"
Common English Bible: "Contribute to the needs of God's people
Contemporary English Version: "Take care of God's needy people"
New International Version: "Share with the Lord's people who are needy"
There are many needy people all over the world. In this verse Paul seems to be focusing on those who are part of the body of Christ. He is saying take care of your own first.
In Acts Luke describes the way the church fulfilled this verse. They had everything in common. They shared common goals and lived in harmony. (Acts 1:14) They sold their possessions and divided the wealth among all as they had need. (Acts 2:44-46) There was no one who lacked or was needy because everyone shared with each other. (Acts 4: 34-35) Then as humans will do things started to go a little wrong. People became greedy and decided to hold back a portion of what they had promised to give. It would have been ok to keep a portion if they had not promised to give it all. Ananias and Sapphira both lied about what they had received for the land and possessions they sold and as a result both of them lost their lives. (Acts 5:1-10) Then people started to have opinions about who should be favored more in church, and James told the people that they were wrong for have more respect for one person over another because as far as God was concerned no one was better than anyone else. (James 2:1-4) He also said that pure and undefiled religion was the kind that helped the fatherless and widows and remain unchanged by the world. (James 1:27)
Jesus, wants us to take care of the needy and put them before ourselves. (Luke 14:12-14) We are supposed to start with those closest to us, and work our way out to the rest of the world. If we help those closest to us first then they can help us reach others.
Lord, help me to be mindful of those around me who are needy and help me to help them when I can.
The Drawing:
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