Studies

Encouragement - Lesson 3

Remember that it is better to give then to receive (Acts 20:35). Help out the less fortunate every chance you get.

Deuteronomy 15:11 There will always be poor in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward yours brothers and toward the poor and needy in the land.

Matthew 26:11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.

These two scriptures show us how important it is to give and help the poor and needy around us. I find it interesting that there is a reference to there being poor with us at all times in both the Old and the New Testaments. It tells me that no matter what man may do, or try to do, there is never going to be a Utopia anywhere on earth. We need to be 'openhanded' toward the poor among us.

Give in Secret
Are you giving to your poorer brothers and sisters? If you do, do you make sure that you are going to get the credit for it?
Matthew 6:1-4 'Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand now what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.'

If you want to encourage someone by meeting a need, do it in secret. You will find it to be much more rewarding. (Remember: it is better to give than receive). You will find that you end up being just as encouraged as the person you set out to encourage, if not more so. It is so much fun to do good deeds in secret! Try it for yourself.

Find Out Who Needs Help
Do you limit your giving to the needs of the poorer bothers and sisters by what you give on Sundays during the benevolent offering? Do you take time to think of those you can be helping? If you do not know of anyone, do you go to your sector leader and ask him?

Maybe you do know of someone in the church who is in need, but you are not in a position to help out yourself. Do you let the others in your family group know, and get then involved, making it a group effort? Or go to your sector leader, and let him know of the need, so that it may be taken care of? (With the growth of the church, it is not always possible for those in leadership to know of the every need, of everybody at all times. Give them a break and help out. You will not only encourage the person in need, but the leaders as well, because they will know that their teachings on having a shepherd's heart and mind set are getting through!). Or do you just think to yourself, "there is nothing I can do about it" and then forget about it? You can be a great encouragement by simply being your brother's keeper. Be aware of what is going on around you. You may see someone who is struggling with money problems, or spiritual ones, and then able to make sure the needs are met. Even if you are not the one who is personally meeting those needs. The point needs to be that the needs of whoever is involved are being met, not who gets the credit for it.

Love Like Jesus
Remember that God sees everything we do, and he will give us credit for our good deeds done in private. And as I have already said, it is much more fun and satisfying to do them in secret. We need to remember Jesus' attitude found in:

Philippians 2:3-11 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitudes should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but he made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance like a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.'

I find that one of the best ways to encourage people is to serve them, and it is more encouraging to do it without expecting or even wanting a 'Thank You' from somebody, and to do it for no other reason than it is what Jesus would do, and therefore expect me to do. Remember the warning in Matthew 25: 31-46. When all is said and done, will you be found out to be a sheep or a goat? Remember that there are many people less privileged than ourselves, or with tougher situations than ours. Pray for wisdom on how to serve and encourage.

Points To Remember:

Matthew 6:1-4

Remember the needy.

Do your good deeds in secret.

Ask yourself daily what needs you see that must be met? (And do it)