THE NEEDS OF OTHERS

HOW DOES GOD DEMONSTRATE HIS CONCERN FOR PEOPLE’S NEEDS?

BIBLE READING: Exodus 20:1-21
KEY BIBLE VERSE: “Don’t be afraid,” Moses said, “for God has come in this way to show you his awesome power. From now on, let your fear of him keep you from sinning!” (Exodus 20:20)

GOD GIVES COMMANDS TO INSURE THAT PEOPLE’S NEEDS ARE MET

Why were the Ten Commandments necessary for God’s new nation? At the foot of Mount Sinai, God showed his people the true function and beauty of his laws. The commandments were designed to lead Israel to a life of practical holiness. In them, people could see the nature of God and his plan for how they should live. The commands and guidelines were intended to direct the community to meet the needs of each individual in a loving and responsible manner. By Jesus’ time, however, most people looked at the law the wrong way. They saw it as a means to prosperity in both this world and the next. And they thought that to obey every law was the way to earn God’s protection from foreign invasion and natural disaster. Lawkeeping became an end in itself, not the means to fulfill God’s ultimate law of love.

BIBLE READING: 2 Kings 6:1-7
KEY BIBLE VERSE: “Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water. Then the ax head rose to the surface and floated. “Grab it,” Elisha said to him. And the man reached out and grabbed it. (2 Kings 6:6-7)

GOD MEETS NEEDS THROUGH PEOPLE

The incident of the floating ax head is recorded to show God’s care and provision for those who trust him, even in the insignificant events of everyday life. God is always present. Placed in the Bible between the healing of an Aramean general and the deliverance of Israel’s army, this miracle also shows Elisha’s personal contact with the students in the company of prophets. Although he had the respect of kings, Elisha never forgot to care for the faithful. Don’t let the importance of your work drive out your concern for human need.

HOW ARE WE TO DEMONSTRATE OUR CONCERN FOR PEOPLE’S NEEDS?

BIBLE READING: Matthew 23:1-39
KEY BIBLE VERSE: The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11-12)

WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OTHERS

Jesus challenged society’s norms. To him, greatness comes from serving-giving of yourself to help God and others. Service keeps us aware of others’ needs, and it stops us from focusing only on ourselves. Jesus came as a servant. What kind of greatness do you seek?

BIBLE READING: Matthew 25:31-46
KEY BIBLE VERSE: The King will tell them, “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:40)

REALIZE THAT MEETING THE NEEDS OF OTHERS IS SERVING CHRIST

This parable describes acts of mercy we all can do every day. These acts do not depend on wealth, ability, or intelligence; they are simple acts freely given and freely received. We have no excuse to neglect those who have deep needs, and we cannot hand over this responsibility to the church or government. Jesus demands our personal involvement in caring for others’ needs (Isaiah 58:7).

OUR NEEDS

HOW DOES GOD WANT US TO HANDLE OUR OWN NEEDS?

BIBLE READING: Ruth 2:1-23
KEY BIBLE VERSE: One day Ruth said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the fields to gather leftover grain behind anyone who will let me do it.” And Naomi said, “All right, my daughter, go ahead.” So Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech. (Ruth 2:2-3)

WE SHOULD USE THE RESOURCES GOD HAS PROVIDED TO MEET OUR NEEDS

Ruth made her home in a foreign land. Instead of depending on Naomi or waiting for good fortune to happen, she took the initiative. She went to work. She was not afraid of admitting her need or working hard to supply it. She made use of gifts and opportunities God had already given, like health and energy. When Ruth went out to the fields, God provided for her. If you are waiting for God to provide, consider this: He may be waiting for you to take the first step to demonstrate just how important your need is.

BIBLE READING: Psalm 104:1-35
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Every one of these depends on you to give them their food as they need it. When you supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them, and they are satisfied. (Psalm 104:27-28)

WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE OUR DEPENDENCE UPON GOD FOR EVERY NEED

Today many people are arrogant enough to think they don’t need God. They don’t realize that our every breath depends on the spirit he has breathed into us (Genesis 2:7; 3:19; Job 33:4; 34:14-15; Daniel 5:23). Not only do we depend on God for our very life, but he wants the best for us. We should also desire to learn more of his plans for us each day.

BIBLE READING: Mark 8:1-13
KEY BIBLE VERSE: About this time another great crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. And if I send them home without feeding them, they will faint along the road. For some of them have come a long distance.” (Mark 8:1-3)

WE MUST TRUST THAT GOD KNOWS AND CARES FOR OUR NEEDS

Do you ever feel that God is so busy with important concerns that he can’t possibly be aware of your needs? Just as Jesus was concerned about these people’s need for food, he is concerned about our daily needs. At another time Jesus said, “So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. . . . Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs” (Matthew 6:31-32). Do you have concerns that you think would not interest God? There is nothing too large for him to handle and no need too small to escape his interest.

Please stay tuned for more.