We hope you have been challenged and encouraged with us so far as we have been walking through the different aspects of the Faith Church Membership Covenant. We are so thankful for our church leaders who seek to help the members of the church live biblical, God-honoring lives! Let’s keep unpacking this important covenant:
I purpose, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together with the other believers of Faith Church in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of the church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to attend its services regularly; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to give it a sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin; to give faithfully of time and talent in service; and to contribute regularly, as God has prospered me, to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the help of those in need, and the spread of the gospel.
In previous blog posts, we have walked through the concept of walking in unity and being generous stewards of our time and resources. Today, let’s focus on the mission of helping those in need and spreading the gospel!
The Bible is very clear that we are to help the poor and needy, and that it pleases God greatly to do so! Jesus even said, “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward” (Matt. 10:14) Speaking of His future coming, Jesus explains, “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matt. 25:34-40) Clearly, God wants His followers to take every opportunity to help those in need.
At Vision of Hope, this is our goal as well! Sometimes ladies walk through our doors to join our program with material needs that we can meet – clothing, toiletries, and a warm bed to say the least. These material needs are very important to meet, but every one of them has an even greater need, and that need can only be met by our Savior. Whoever is a true believer is spiritually rich, but many ladies come to us spiritually poor. To be sure, even if they are believers they come with the great spiritual need of help to know how to live and experience the “depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God.” (Rom. 11:33). It is an amazing thing to see ladies every day choose to take hold of His riches and find true and lasting freedom and joy. Truly, sharing the gospel and pointing others to God’s offer of His marvelous abundant life is a wonderful way to help the poor and needy.
Meeting material and spiritual needs is what our Lord call us to. Let’s be on the lookout for every opportunity to serve others in this way and glorify our Father!
