Taking Care Of Each Other

I hear God speaking to me, challenging me. This particular conversation began at my 50th-year high school reunion. I happened to sit across from the woman who had been the prettiest girl in our graduating class. I was shocked and concerned when she confided that at our age she was alone in life, with no husband, no children or other family. None of her old friends remained. There was no come-on, nothing untoward, just the stark report that she was now alone in life and a bit scared. She still has to work to get by on Social Security (we are 73; she fortunately doesn't look it). She rents a room from a friend and is reasonably concerned about her future: "I just try to be wise about my spending and trust in the Lord."

Though mostly alone, she is better off than many. Since our discussion I have become increasingly aware of the plight of single women and of the poor, especially the homeless, and the disparity of how things are done by the church and the way they are supposed to be done biblically.

The church has gotten way off track. I see homeless, strung-out and disheveled men and women walking around our streets and wonder, "Where's the Church?" and worse yet, "What has the Church become?" The answer is "Not much, afraid, and home." Yes, yes, guilty here, too. Opportunity for evangelism in being missed.

The Ecclesia, the Body of Christ, is supposed to be a family--the relatives of God, those who mercy Him--a community of mutual support. It is supposed to be arranged that people see miracles evidencing God's love, are taught the Word of God and are born from above, genuinely converted into the family where they feel confident to share their possessions and wealth without fear of being taken advantage of, and without care of being taken advantage of because of their faith. Virtually endless growth. Widows and orphans are supposed to be safe and fed. Single women and the poor are supposed to be taken care of. There is a whole lot about this in the Bible, especially in Jesus teachings:

"'When I broke the five breads for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of fragments did you gather?' They told him, 'Twelve.' And he told them, 'And when the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets of fragments did you fill and carry?' They said, 'Seven.' He told them, 'Why then do you still not understand?'" (Mark 8:19-21 Alexander).

The human being (Christ) giving a little bit to the Family of God, Jesus (YHWH) had increased it, making it more than sufficient. The lesson was not that Christ is powerful, but that Jesus (the Father) EXPANDS what is devoted by Christ to make it sufficient for the family, plus(!) twelve baskets from five loaves after five thousand men had eaten their fill of them.

Ever feel like you have just been smacked by the Lord? Lovingly, chastisingly, I mean. But does the Church have the nerve to do it? I've got that book on my shelf, still: Your God Is Too Small. Listen to what John MacArthur quotes from A. W. Pink (Gleanings In The Godhead) at 21:05 “Spiritual Stability, Part 3: Humanity and Faith” (#2).