THE HOUSE OF GOD (2)

THE HOUSE OF HELPS

The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Psalm 20:1-2

This passage is one of my treasured verses in the Bible, God ordained His house to be a house where when we gather, we can collectively attend to the needs of each other. God is our present help in times of trouble according to Psalms 46:1 but there has never been a time when God descended from heaven to give physical help to man He always sends other men or angels in the form of men. Most of the time there must be a meeting point where help will reach the one to be helped. This is where the church comes in, a place to obtain help from the brethren that God had prepared to render help to others.

Church is designed to foster communal living. This is the picture of what God’s house is supposed to be. Where we provide essential things that are needed for the body in addition to the spiritual needs, will God rain food and clothes from the sky? No! He will do it through us, the people in His house.  An angel will come in the form of men which is you and me to help our fellow brethren. Jesus showed us this practical example when He was with His disciples. They have things that they all need to the extent that no one can differentiate between the master and the others as a result of the way they are faring. They all eat in the same bowl.

The early church also gave the same pattern of communal living, the bible says in Acts 4:34-35

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. This is the practical example of the house of help where no one lacks. This might be difficult to preach today but that doesn’t mean that God has changed the status of the church from being the house of help. Apostle James said, “If a brother or sister is naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them, not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” James 2:15-16

The system might have changed from what it was then, but on an individual basis, we can be of help to someone who is in need. Let that brother and that sister know that truly God can raise help from the sanctuary for them. You observe that someone gains admission to study in the college and you still see him or her around, ask if it is the school fees or money for books that is holding such a person back. In your little way add to what he or she has if you cannot pay all. Needs are much around us but be reminded that it is when you do it for these that you have done it for Christ.

This is one of the teachings of Jesus Christ to show that giving help to those in need especially those of the household of faith Galatians 6:10, As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Please read the passage below and be guided by Matthew 25:32-46:

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you since ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, In as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

My brothers and sisters, do not hesitate to make the house of God what God said it should be you shall surely have your great rewards. Amen  

Maranatha!!