Giving Aid

With all of the devastation in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia due to the recent hurricane, I have been completely blown away by the outpouring of love and concern for others.  At Karns alone, what we thought would be under $10,000 to aid our sister churches in the affected areas, was over $60,000. WOW!  I have learned that other members of the Lord’s church from smaller congregations loaded up their horses and went to help those who were unreachable.  People from Florida came to assist in the search and rescue.  Caravans of farmers from Kentucky and Ohio brought thousands of bails of hay for livestock, along with fuel, clothing, diapers, etc. Farmers from Connecticut, 850 miles away sent feed and other supplies too.   Tennessee farmers sent semi-truck loads as well.  While traveling, we passed a military convoy headed that way fully loaded with off-road vehicles.  I am sure you have seen this and may know even more that I may have missed.

We are seeing the “Golden Rule” on display, as found in Matthew 7:12 – “what you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” Luke 6:35 also reminds us to “do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High.”  The best way to get the Lord’s word to others is by doing good deeds.  “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). 

Let us not grow weary in doing good in word and deed but meet every challenge that falls before us.  The main difference between those helping and our giving aid is that we are looking out for their material as well as spiritual needs.

What if we respond to their eternal needs the way we respond to their material needs?  Could we bring more souls to the Lord?