When newscasters are reporting a tragic accident, crime, or storm, they will often end the segment by assuring all those affected that they are “in our thoughts and prayers.” Sometimes they will also add a website address to which viewers can go to find out how they can help those in need. Here are some ‘thoughts and prayers’ on using what we have been given by God to help those who need help.
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At the conclusion of the movie Schindler’s List, Oskar Schindler—who saved many Jews from the Nazis—looks at his expensive car and his gold pin and regrets that he didn’t give more of his money and possessions to save more lives. Schindler used his opportunities to help far better than most. But in the end, he longed for a chance to go back and do even more, choosing human lives over material possessions.
Just as unbelievers have no second chance to relive their lives and choose Christ, Christians get no second chance to do more to help the needy and invest in God’s Kingdom. We have one brief opportunity—our lifetime on Earth—to use our resources to make a difference.
Think through the eventual end of all possessions, including new cars, hot tubs, and entertainment systems (realizing there’s nothing inherently wrong with any of them). From an eternal perspective, imagine how the money allocated for these items might instead be invested in helping people and bringing them the gospel. Can you imagine anyone saying on his or her deathbed, “I wish I’d bought more stuff?” What do you think dying people actually regret or wish they’d done differently in terms of their relationships, possessions, and choices?
John Wesley said, “I value all things only by the price they shall gain in eternity.” If we truly understood that both the present and the eternal results of giving are far more beautiful than any earthly treasure we could possess, we’d never hesitate or wonder whether it’s worthwhile to give. Our sacred and joyful opportunity here on Earth is to use our lives, which are built on the foundation of Christ, to help build a magnificent foundation for the world to come.
Five minutes after we die, we’ll know exactly how we should have lived. But then it will be too late to rewind and live this life over. Fortunately, God has given us His Word so we don’t have to wait until we die to find out how we should have lived. Moreover, He’s given us His Spirit to empower us to live in the way that he has told us to live.
–Randy Alcorn at: http://www.epm.org
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“When we are brought to life on the last day and see God in all his goodness and glory, we shall spit on ourselves and say, ‘Shame on you for not doing more to serve Christ when you had the chance.’” –Martin Luther in Table Talk (#203)
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A prayer by Rev. Samuel F. Pugh (1904-2007):
O God, when I have food, help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work, help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a warm home, help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain, help me to remember those who suffer,
And as I remember, teach me to care, and inspire my compassion.
Make me concerned enough to help, by word and deed, those who cry out for what we take for granted. Amen.
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Thoughts and a prayer, based on John Wesley’s rule for life:
Lord of all life, three rules are essential to the proper use of my resources.
Enable me to gain all I can. But as you bless my labors, guard me from harming my health, my mind, or my neighbor in the process. May honest work and common sense be my guide.
Encourage me to save all I can. Guard me from wasting your precious resources to gratify unhealthy and prideful desires. May the most important legacy I leave behind be that of justice, integrity, and generosity.
Empower me to give all I can. In my efforts to be a good steward of your many blessings, give me what I need to provide caringly for those I love, open my heart to the needs of those who are close at hand, and create a generous spirit within me to do good to all.
O generous Father, you have blessed my life in so many ways. Teach me how to be faithful in my use of what you have placed in my hands for a little while. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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I Timothy 6:17-19 — Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Deuteronomy 16:17 — Each of you shall give as you are able, bringing a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you.
II Corinthians 9:7 — Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Matthew 10:42 – (Jesus said), “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
James 2:15-16 – Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” (or, “I’ll keep you in my thoughts and prayers”) but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
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