Acts 11:27-30
The Church in Antioch (Part 2)
27 Now in these days prophets
came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and
foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability,to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Are Christians
supposed to help others in need? I mean... we should pray for them, but do we need to send money, supplies, etc...? Believe it or not, I get asked this question. I think today's reading answers it for us. A famine was forecasted by
Agabus, a prophet, and it's effect would be all over the world. A collection was made according to each person's ability and the money was sent to Judea. We still react the same way. Whether explosions, tornadoes, hurricanes, famine, earthquakes,
etc... we still gather money and send it to where ever it is needed. It's the Christian thing to do... to love your neighbor as yourself.
I pray: O Lord, help me to reach out
and to help others in need, whether next door, or across the ocean. Help me to love my neighbor as myself, to put other's needs before mine. Let me do so with a joyful heart. Amen.