Subang Jaya Church of Christ

How should a Christian face times
of financial hardship? (Continued)

by Yeow Chin Kiong

Christianity is about putting the welfare of others before one’s own. As we prepare ourselves to face financial hardship, we must be sensitive to the needs of others, both in the family of God (Galatians 6:2, 9-10) and among strangers (Luke 10:25-37), who are facing distress similar or worse than our own. The poor whom we will always have with us (Matthew 26:11) are more hardpressed when society at large faces financial difficulties, when the rest of us are unable to be as generous as we should be towards them.

The greatest personal attribute of the Christian is love (I Corinthians 13:13),- the goodwill and high regard which we feel and intend for others. More than a mere feeling directed at others, love must be expressed in real terms, in a self-sacrificing activity which helps the poor. “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” (James 2:15-16).

Love must be expressed in the specific attributes of benevolence, generosity and availability. Indeed, times of societal distress present the best opportunities for the performance of Christian good works which ought to bring glory to God (Matthew 5:16) and attract men to the Gospel call. After all, only those in great need appreciate gifts and are thankful to God and the giver (II Corinthians 9:10-14). “Then He also said to him who invited Him, ‘When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just’ ” (Luke 14:12-14, based on the principles Jesus taught in Luke 6:32-35). Notice that there is much gain for us if we are benevolent to others (Luke 6:38).

The tenth attribute of benevolence (or “charity”, the word which translates the Greek AGAPE, a sacrificial love, as compared with PHILEO, meaning mere fondness or friendship) is the opposite of selfishness. Benevolence should be the motivation behind acts of kindness directed to the needy. Without this motivation, “charitable” acts are of no value to the doer (I Corinthians 13:3), being actions undertaken merely to draw attention to the doer. “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:1-4).

Benevolence is expressed in service to our fellowmen in need, which the Lord equates with service to Him (Matthew 25:34-40). Indeed, benevolence should encompass many of the virtues already discussed as necessary to successfully meet the challenge of hard times. Hence, our benevolence should be longsuffering (I Corinthians 13:4), requiring of us endurance, patience and faith because we never knows how long difficulties persist. Also, in “not seeking its own” (I Corinthians 13:5), benevolence requires self-control in not insisting to have our own way nor focusing on ourselves.

If benevolence is the attribute which motivates doing good for others, the eleventh attribute, generosity (the opposite of stinginess), determines the degree or extent to which benevolence is expressed. God was supremely generous to the world, giving up His Son to save the perishing (John 3:16). We should imitate such a degree of generous self-sacrifice, if not to the point of laying down our life for others, at least seeing to the needs of his brethren (I John3:16-18).

Since the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (I Timothy 6:7-10), we should not hold on to our wealth and possessions but rather freely and generously disburse such as we have to those in need, confident that by so doing we have God’s grace and His promise of sufficiency (II Corinthians 9:7-8). When we are generous towards others, we will reap bountifully (Malachi 3:7-11; Luke 6:38; II Corinthians 9:6) as well as ensure ourselves a place in heaven (Mark 10:21) besides rewards in this world (Matthew 6:3-4). For the immense good that it brings to giver and receiver, our generosity should be “to the hilt”. Our generosity should not be determined by how much we have in excess but rather by how much we have left, this being the lesson Jesus taught concerning the widow who gave her all (Luke 21:2-4).

Continued next issue...

SUBANG JAYA NEWS UPDATE OUR GUESTS LAST WEEKSun - Angel & MeRcy (SJ guests)* ).* Mr Khoo, (Karen’s husband,) * Khee Tu (Ai Cheng’s guest) * Kenny Kagiah (Cheng See’s guest); OUR VISITORS LAST WEEKFri - Sis Hor (Klang) * Amelia (Czech Republic) * Johnathan (Jogjakarta) * Sun - Amelia (Czech Republic) * Johnathan (Jogjakarta) * Robert & Irene Ong (China) * Chang Koon (Malacca) * Amelin & Annie and their children (Klang)* Karen & Yik Min (JB)* Mandarin - Candy (Kuantan) * Kwans (Klang) * Yi Leung (Yong Peng) * Geoh Soon, Goe Kian & Xin Yi (DU)* PRAYER REQUESTS  For the health of: Sis Chang (Jurong) * Doris Chan (KL) * Gary, Francis, Katherine, Sarojini & Leela (SJ) * Frank Pierce* Mr Chiah Tee Sang (Sis Tee’s brotherin- law), Ah Ngen (Han’s brother), Steven How (Daybreak printer) * Charlie DiPalma’s eyesight* Amelia Tee’s exams on Physiology 26 Aug * Eunice & Wen Kye’s PMR exam and Jessica’s SPM exam * AWAY FROM US THIS MORNING The Oois, in the US * The Tees in JB * NOTE OF THANKS FROM Karen & Yik Min for all the prayers and concern expressed upon the demise of Yik Min’s paternal grandmother who passed away on 27 July 2008. CHURCH LUNCH TODAY Brought forward to welcome back Amelia, Ai Fong & Jonathan. We thank all who brought food, Lillian Chan for coordinating at a late notice and those who will be doing the washing up. LEAVING US The DiPalmas are flying back to India on Fri, 15 Aug to resume their work there. Keep them in your prayers. LADIES FELLOWSHIP YESTERDAY Good fellowship and lessons by Ai Lin and Ai Mei. Thanks to Priscilla and Lillian for coordinating the programme. HAPPENINGS THIS WEEK• Men’s meeting 8pm tomorrow, 11 August • Home fellowship at 8pm at the Chans’ Wednesday, 13 Aug & Yeows’ Saturday, 16 Aug PROGRAMMES COMING UP1. Making Ends Meet seminar by Eng Kim Leng; 3pm-5pm Saturday, 23 August 2008.     Invitation leaflets will be distributed. 2. 19th Restoration Seminar & 9th Restoration Roundtable, 1 September 2008 on “Restoring The     Doctrine of Worship in Assembly on the First Day of the Week”