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Prioritizing God's Children in Service and Care

 Prioritizing God's Children in Service and Care

The Bible teaches that believers should first care for fellow Christians before extending help to the broader world. This principle is rooted in the idea that the church is a family, and just as one would prioritize their household, believers are called to support their spiritual family first.

Biblical Foundation for Helping God's Children First

  1. Galatians 6:10 – "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
    • This verse explicitly states that while doing good to all is important, there is a special priority given to fellow believers.
  2. 1 Timothy 5:8 – "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
    • Paul emphasizes that caring for one's own family is a fundamental responsibility. This principle extends to the spiritual family—the church.
  3. Acts 2:44-45 – "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need."
    • The early church demonstrated this principle by ensuring that fellow believers were cared for before looking outward.
  4. John 13:35 – "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
    • Loving His brethren is a commandment. We can not break one commandment in the name of pursuing something else; the great commission, spreading the gospel to the world, being on mission...
  5. John 17:20 –  “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me."
    • Our oneness within the church is a testimony to having fellowship with Jesus and if we have fellowship with him we have fellowship with the Father, thus the world will know he is from God. 
  6. Mathew 25:40 – "what you do to the least of these my brethren you do unto me"
    • We see the importance of loving his brethren as Jesus equates it to doing it unto him.
  7. Mathew 25:40-43 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in a word you did not visit Me."
    • The Greek word for ward in Mathew 25:43, means "someone under watch," which can include many types; prison, hospital, mental home, nursing home, orphans home... All his brothers and sisters in wards we should visit, providing special care and encouragement. Such we do to Christ himself.
Jesus teaches that love among believers is a testimony to the world. Prioritizing care of all within the church strengthens its witness of being salt and light to the world.

The Church's Role in Supporting Believers

The church is called to be a place of refuge and support for its members. James 2:15-16 warns against neglecting fellow believers in need:
"Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"

This passage highlights the importance of actively helping fellow Christians rather than merely offering words of encouragement. This highlights what James said that faith without works is dead. And as Paul said faith without love is nothing. 

John emphasizes this in 1 John 3:17, "But whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?" This verse is a powerful reminder that love is not just an emotion but also an action. It clearly states that if a person has the means to help a brother or sister in need but chooses not to, their love of God is questionable.

Extending Help Beyond the Church

Believers are called to prioritize their spiritual family. Think about your heavenly family, God's children, the brethren of Christ, you will spend eternity with them, so obviously their importance supersedes worldly lineage. This is what Jesus means when he says we must leave our family to follow him. We hope our family joins us in heaven and we want to be a witness to them, but we prioritize the kingdom of God first, his children.

We are to be a light unto the world. Matthew 5:16 states, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Helping others outside the church is a way to reflect God's love, but it should not come at the expense of neglecting fellow believers, which is opposite of being a light to the world.

Conclusion

The Bible teaches a clear order of responsibility: believers should first care for their spiritual family, ensuring that no brother or sister in Christ is left in need. This strengthens the church and allows it to be a beacon of love and service to the world. By following this biblical principle, Christians can fulfill God's call to care for His children while also being a light to those outside the faith.

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