If you pay attention to who writes the Daily Bread on each day of the week, you might notice that on Tuesdays Alex is the author. However, today he is helping Tim Nelson and Alex asked if I could help him by writing today’s message.
Isn’t that the way the church is supposed to operate? We are much more than just a group of people who all happen to believe the same thing. We are a family. And family is supposed to help each other.
1 Timothy 5:8 – “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse from 1 Timothy is talking about blood relatives and those who live with you. However, Christ made it clear who his family was; “Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother”” (Matt 12:49-50). Our family is comprised of fellow disciples. If we are not helping one another and taking care of each other, we are worse than unbelievers.
But I think we do pretty well at helping each other. I can’t think of anyone in our family that wouldn’t drop what they were doing and give me the shirt off their back if I was in need.
Here’s what we need to do better (and I know, because I’m horrible at this): we need to ask for help. We are too independent. We actually deprive each other of the opportunity to help by trying to do everything ourselves. I’m thankful that Alex asked me to help out instead of silently overworking himself. I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve. I’m thankful for the opportunity to strengthen our bond through working together. It was a simple request and an easy job, but so much more has come out of it than what just that. Jesus has a habit of taking a little and turning it into a lot.
How have you helped others in this trying time? What do you need help with?