“If you see a need, fill a need.” This statement is very true and I think it deserves the attention it needs. It’s not just a catchy quote from a cute movie. Nothing that has ever been said in truth has not been said by the One who created all creation. Of course, we will never find these exact words in the Bible, but we will find some scripture that advises us to do the same and why. Lately it seems that a lot of young people are simply out in the world, doing their thing and not paying attention to the consequences they will one day create. I can’t blame this younger generation for doing what makes them feel good if they have never been taught the true word of God. This is a theme that is becoming a reality throughout the generations. As the Word of God gradually diminishes in our lives, as a whole we begin to gravitate towards the laws of the land and not towards those of a Supreme God. As a result, we have created a new generation of inconsiderate, selfish, lazy, short-tempered, and bad-minded people. In every generation where life’s instructions are not taught and learned, things get worse and worse as these children have children. Marriage is no longer a prerequisite. Now, I’m not saying that all America’s youth will fit into this bill. Praise God, there are those who have studied God’s Word and are living a life that pleases them. The problem, however, appears to be a minority.
An example of this kind of new “What about me” attitude comes to mind. I know of a young man who, sadly, never grew up in a godly home. More or less he was left to his own devices. He never finished high school and jumps from job to job and woman to woman. His idea of being a real man is to drink and be a marksman. This has gotten him into trouble on more than one occasion. Not only that, this kind of indifferent attitude has produced two innocent victims out of wedlock for two different women and now possibly a third for yet another woman. These kids don’t seem to see the big picture. Instead of settling down with a woman and taking on the responsibility of being a father, they soon get bored and move on, paying child support in their wake. This is not what God wanted. It is also wreaking havoc on taxpayers. Since God created man in His own image, and God is the epitome of love, correction, meekness, patience, provision, etc. it just goes to show that someone else has taken on this role. Only a vile and corrupt creature would teach selfishness, greed, lust for sex, wealth, power, pride, and unhappiness. His name is Satan. He is enthusiastically teaching people how to be their own gods and lead all of God’s creation to the pit of destruction one day. Unless our youth can hear the Word of God, this need for truth will not be met. As the saying goes, “you can’t give away what you don’t have.” As servants of the Most High King, we are expected to see needs and meet them. His Word gives us the things we need to be able to give them away. This was God’s plan. In fact, the more we give, the more we receive! What kinds of needs can someone like you satisfy? You may be saying that you have no money, you have no special talents, you just have nothing to offer. Stop there! Everyone has something to give and it doesn’t have to be material.
The only thing we are commanded to give is … LOVE! This type of love is better known as brotherly love. It’s putting someone else’s needs before your own. This may seem impossible for some to even conceive, but the consequences will pay off for a lifetime. This is God’s plan for success. Let’s take a closer look at some examples.
“Owe no one anything more than to love one another, because he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13: 8
Paul is telling us that we are expected to love all people, Christian and non-Christian alike. We do this by being honest in paying our debts. Do not leave anyone else with your account. Be responsible and accountable.
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Hate what is bad; hold fast to what is good. Be one to another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor”; Romans 12: 9-10
This passage of Scripture talks about the complete well-being of another person and to meet or satisfy their need. It is only good when done sincerely. Devotion is purely of the heart. This is the part that God sees. Now you might be thinking about how this would benefit you. Jesus is always the one who guides us into all truth. His Truth will free us from the bondage of selfishness, greed, self-importance, pride, or whatever is holding you back. In other words, sin!
In the book of Matthew, Jesus is speaking to his descendants about the judgment of the Gentiles. God’s Word explains in detail what true salvation is and how to obtain it. It is receiving Christ in your heart and making him the Lord and Savior of your life. This confession from your lips will erase all sin. The day Christ returns to reign on earth, He will separate believers from unbelievers.
But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne; all nations will be gathered before him; and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, and will put the sheep on his right hand and the goats on the left. “
Immediately a believer, a sheep is considered favored, and the unbeliever is consigned to a place of disgrace on His left. These he will reject. Well that’s not very nice, you may be thinking, but let’s listen to Christ’s reasoning.
Then the King will say to those on his right: ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Because 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 to come in; naked, and clothed me; I was sick and you visited me; I was in jail, and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him: Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in jail and went to see you? “Matthew 25: 34-39
These good works are the fruits of salvation, not good works. These good works alone will not get anyone to heaven. These were made manifest by the grace of God in their lives. This “brotherly love” is the main objective of the trial. Seeing a need and meeting that need is evidence of saving faith. Jesus told them that everything they did for the least of them, they also did for him.
To the unconverted, he will present the same questions, but will ask why they did not give him anything. They will respond in the same way as believers with a slight difference: “When did we not do all those things?” And to them he will also answer;
“Truly I tell you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of these little ones, you did not do it to me.” Matthew 25:45
Here’s why we should be merciful in meeting the needs of others for the glory of God.
“These will go to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 24:46
All the decisions we make today will determine tomorrow. Which one will you choose?
All scriptures taken from the New American Standard Bible
Christian communication support online: http://churchwebsitedesign.org.uk