Give of yourself

  Give of yourself

In the book of James we read,

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.

As believers in Christ Jesus our faith should spur us on to do all we can to help those in need. This is what James the half brother of Jesus is telling us here. If we can help someone we should help them. 

Even if you cannot help materially you can always help. Even if it’s just showing kindness. Or giving a person someone to talk to. 

In these dark days of the Covid pandemic where doctors tell us mental health issues are on the rise a listening ear is always appreciated.

Anne Frank a Jewish girl in hiding from the Nazis in occupied holland during world war two wrote,

“Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank. 

So if you consider yourself a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus are you giving in some way to those around you?

Please think about it.