“But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” 1 John 3: 17
There are earworms and saddle burrs that I can’t shake this week. Both of them are a result of things that our friends from Servants Inc shared with us – little bits of information heading into our upcoming DAY OF ACTION.
The first unshakable is that Servants is a 100% pass through charity. Many of you may have already known that – but honestly – it impressed the heck out of me! What that means is that if you donate $100 to Home Helps (Servant’s local based ministry) – $100 ENTIRE dollars go directly to help your neighbors in need. Little dollars don’t get directed to advertising on billboards…..ten dollars don’t go marching off towards a contest to get more donors…..ONE HUNDRED TOTAL dollars go DIRECTLY to help someone who is taking a cold shower with a garden hose.
“One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord and He will repay him for his good deed.” Proverbs 19:17
Which brings me to the next thing that has been rubbing me the wrong way – like the proverbial burr under my saddle – how can we possibly allow such need to exist right in our own back yard? What struck me the most was when Chris Gohn said that the homeowners that we will be serving have no where else to turn. They have tried making repairs on their own, they have asked for help from government organizations, they have turned to friends and neighbors …….and Home Helps – is their last desperate call.
Cue the sound track from Ghost Busters……the earworm that has been plaquing me all week…..Gang, I want to be the FIRST place where people in need turn. I want them to remember things that actionchurch has done in the community and I want them to pick up the phone and dial 1-800-ACTIONCHURCH. That’s what the Christ followers did. That’s what the early church was. They were a group of dedicated, compassionate individuals who banded together to help one another. It’s time that the church – that we as individuals – start to rise up and actively seek to aid those who are less fortunate.
If we continue to be THAT church – the one that gives, and gives and gives. The church that goes out of their way to help a neighbor….in the end – the people that we serve will come to realize that it isn’t actionchurch that is their savior. They will come to understand that there is a true savior – someone who was willing to sacrifice not just a sweaty, hot, dusty Friday to help them get their shower fixed – but someone who was willing to give their life for them to spend an eternity in heaven.
So – this week – let’s be THAT church. Be the people I know who can pack the lobby with so much paint, hammers and nails, plywood, drywood, lumber wood, Gatorade and water that we will need a moving van to get it all delivered. If you want to know the greatest need for Home Helps, call Steve Fowler ( he is the crew leader for Home Helps 717-378-0336 ) and ask him what they need.
Then head out to Home Depot – grab a shopping cart – dance down the aisle to the Ghost Busters theme – and load up for Home Helps!
“And look out for one another’s interest, not just for your own. The attitude you should have is the one that Christ Jesus had.” Philippians 2:4-5