Why Do Global Care?

At that time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, got up and predicted by the Spirit that a severe famine was about to come over the whole inhabited world. (This took place during the reign of Claudius.) So the disciples, each in accordance with his financial ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. They did so, sending their financial aid to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30 NET)

For the last four years we have been challenged to live a lifestyle of reaching out to others through prayer, care, and share, both locally and globally. While this may not have been a new concept to you, I have found this approach very helpful as well as challenging. It has helped me to see outreach as more than just telling someone the Gospel and expecting them to cross the line of faith right then and there. Yet it reminds me that sharing the Gospel is always something I should look for God-given opportunities to do.

But the biggest challenge has been the “care” component. On the local level, it reminds me of the importance of having a relationship. On the global level, it reminds me of how ignorant I am at times of the real needs of others in the world.

I want to challenge you to become more aware of the global needs for care. This does not replace the need for us to share our faith. Rather, it is often an important and necessary step to demonstrate that our faith is real. We are not caring for people to get converts. No, we care because Jesus cares. We reach out because Jesus reached out to us.

This type of care was true in the early church. The Christ followers in Antioch sent financial aid to the church in Jerusalem during a famine. But keep in mind what the church in Jerusalem was doing. They were reaching out to their community. The financial aid helped care for more than just believers in Jerusalem.

Let us do the same today as we reach out to those in need, both here in Cedar Rapids and those in other nations.

To learn of one way we can reach out to churches and individuals in other countries to demonstrate the love of Christ, read this story about a way churches are meeting a need in India:

http://www.mnnonline.org/article/13394