Wednesday, May 24, 2017

May 24 Thought for the day...helping or hurting?



In the churches, I have pastored, and when I worked for Christian Television, I have always worked to meet people's needs both spiritually and physically. It is one of the joys of ministry to see a burden lightened. I learned very early that there are those that would want to take advantage and Paul addresses that in Galatians 6:5

"For each one shall bear his own load (burden)."

Yesterday we talked about bearing the burden of others but today just a few verses later Paul is saying that we must bear our own load (burden). This seems a bit confusing. In the Greek, the word used for "load or burden" is completely different that in Galatians 6:2. This word means to carry a backpack, the expected amount of weight every soldier should carry.  It is the normal responsibilities every person is expected to carry in life.

In Acts 2 we see that the early church had everything in common. They sold their land and other possessions to make sure that everyone had enough. This failed! People became lazy and rather than helping the community they would sit and wait to be cared for rather than caring for the needs of the community. Paul had to tell the church (2 Thessalonians 3:10) if someone does not work they will not eat.  It is in the nature of some, not all, to become lazy and not carry their own responsibilities.

The Holy Spirit is making clear here that we each have our own responsibilities for our daily life that we must bear. Paying our bills is our responsibility to hold down a job and live within a budget. Caring for and disciplining our children is our responsibility as a parent. Mowing our own lawn, keeping our homes clean and in good repair, taking care of our health, these are all things that are the normal responsibilities that the Holy Spirit is saying are our burden (load) to bear. There are always times where a person may need help in these areas, and we do, but they must realize it is their responsibility, not anyone else's because God has blessed you with all of these things He expects you to bear your burden and be wise.

In situations where someone is not bearing their own load, it is our job to help them, but our help must be to help them grow up and become adults. Our actions of "help" may actually hinder their growth as both a Christian and an adult. God wants to bless us all and if we shirk our responsibilites we can not be blessed and if in the process of feeling sorry for someone we enable them, we are not really helping but instead hindering their growth and ultimately thier blessing from the Lord.

Be wise when you are about to help someone that you are really helping and not hurting them, hindering a blessing in their lives.



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