Remembering Paul, Remembering the Poor
I must remind us in the
word of Christ that what shall it profit a man when he gets the whole world and
loses his soul"
The joy is never in the receiving
l, it's in the giving and I believe this few words reflects everything I write
to you.
The poor we will always
have with us just like our lord Jesus has prophesied but it shouldn't be a s a
result of lack of information or platform but as a result of individual choices
and I envisage this book (Remembering Paul, remembering the poor) as a booster
to push every human to become that information provider and platform for
individuals who desire to be free from the taunting grip of poverty.
In my reflection of
Paul's initiative in solving or trying to erase/ease the grief poverty has
painted on the people opened my eyes to quite an amazing wisdom which I
wouldn't want to hoard to myself.
Permit me to break this
reflection into 3 parts to help buttress and hopefully pass this wisdom to you.
Obligation:
Most men have asked for
their shares and few have asked how they can share. I have come to the
understanding that when you are told to engage in a work you love, you end up
becoming better at it. Gal 2 described how Paul was eager to become a preacher
of the gospel which gave him the responsibility to care for the poor. But he
wasn't burdened, he already knew it was an ob ligation.
Now, Paul wasn't just
enthusiastic about preaching the gospel, he wanted to reach out to the poor
among him and he understood that it wasn't optional but a task, a cross he
was willing to carry.
As a Christian, how do
you see the poor? As people waiting to benefit from your hardwork? No! We are
not rich because of our hardwork. It was (and still is) the grace of God that
brought us wealth not just for us and loved ones but for the less privileged
than us for Christ who was rich was made poor so that through His poverty, we
became rich.
As Christians, how
willing are you in giving? Paul was willing to sacrifice everything for the
gospel which included giving and urging others to give too. Again it was
recorded of Paul's obligation to be accountable not just to God but to men and
wanted to avoid any criticism in administering the collections.
Now isn't the time to
consider your problems but to give generously to others in worse situation(s)
than yours generously, for it's not in the size of what is given but the heart
that is giving for it's written, "Each man should give what he has decided
in his heart to give not reluctantly or under compulsion. For God loves a
cheerful giver".
In conclusion, Paul
enthusiasm and eagerness should not go without emulation by us (Christian). If
Christ our mediator and model could give up everything that we may be rich and
has also wished that we do unto others as we would want to be treated, it's paramount
to - as Paul did - take it up as a cross to look after our brethren who might
be poor spiritually (through sharing scriptures and building faith together),
mentally (through teaching and sponsoring education desires), socially (through
giving out friendship hands) and financially. It's time to assume the
responsibility of caring for the poor even more than Paul did.
Eschatology:
Going by the history of
the word, it's the study of the last. And it is recorded that theologically,
it's likened to the four last things -death, judgement, heaven and hell".
Paul understood the
consequences of his actions and inaction and always knew how to synchronize it
with the aforementioned last things. He would always say, "I run the good
fight of faith; or I run for the crown..." This and other statements with
similar meaning proves life after death and how much Paul wanted to make the
better. It also leaves us with an important question; "Does our life
reflect a glorious one"?
Paul had the knowledge of
the connection between Christians and the poor and knew it wasn't complete to
preach the gospel but also to feed the poor (spiritually, financially, mentally
and otherwise) and was set to do the task.
The reflective questions
you should ask at this point are; what is my ultimate destiny? Why did God
created me? Why do I have so much potentials? What do I need to do before it
all disappears?
The first week of
creation reveals how beautifully and wonderfully we were made (Gen 1:26-28).
Why should so much potent waste without solving the problems of the church and
your brethren or at least lead you closer to a better life in eternity? Like I
said earlier, the joy isn't in the receiving, but in the giving.
Just like Paul who
understood that a core part of a Christian life is in giving, we should follow
to his path with the assurance that in the last days, we shall receive each
our crown as those who fought the good fight of faith to the glory of God.
Ecumenical:
What makes us Christians? Most people will quickly say they
were fortunate to be born into Christian homes and this makes them Christians.
Without neglecting this response fully, it's of great importance to remind us
that the word Christian were given to a group of people exhibiting the
attributes of their leader. Permit me to stress the word ATTRIBUTE (likeness). In other words, any
Christian whose life doesn't reflect that of Christ isn't a Christian but a
hypocrite.
1Cor 12:12 elaborates on
the unity of Christians to achieve a common goal as long as it glorifies God.
I wouldn't be blind to
the different Christian organizations separated by doctrines, history and
practices but will quickly put that all together makes the complete body of
Christ.
Paul reflected this as he
sets off to preach the gospel to the gentiles (which was a different way to
preach to the Jew like Peter). The feeding of the Paul was something both Peter
and Paul were willing to do and they both represented different doctrine but
one body of Christ so reflected that body which in this case is feeding the
poor.
Today, can you boldly say
you will join resources with a fellow Christian (from a different doctrine) to
carter for the less privileged or for a common good? Will you in all truth
see a brethren from a different doctrine/practice as an important part in the
body of Christ? It's the desire of our lord Jesus that some of us work as the
hand, some as the leg, some as the head and all knowing they are as important
as the other adding forces together to work to the glory of God the father
through Jesus His son.
We are all one body in
Christ Jesus and will continue till our lord comes again in His glory.
Finally, in the spirit of
giving and unity of all Christians in view of the last days and our brethren
less privileged than we are, it's pertinent we take it as a burden with
enthusiasm just as Paul showed and not only do we preach the good news and
share the joy of knowing our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ but come together in
His love to join our resources as different part of His body and achieve a
greater good.
Poverty has taken it's
deep root in our society today and without doubt has contributed to lots of
things of which some includes; Hunger, divorce, frustration, murder, genocide,
suicide, unemployment, underdevelopment etc. It's our duty to help the poor
amongst us not necessary be feeding them but preferably by teaching them how
to feed themselves. That is called empowerment and that is something every
Christian should get involved with.
As we live to walk and
work with Christ, I pray in the words of Paul in Eph1:17, that the God of our
lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and
revelation so that you may know Him better. I also pray that the eyes of your
heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has
called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saint and in His
comparably great power for us who believe. Amen!
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