Thursday, September 23rd – Christians And Social Welfare

Followers of Christ can preach powerful sermons to the world when they reflect God’s kind- ness by showing Samaritan kindness to others, and not just talking about it.

What about us? Every time we meet someone in need, we live the parable of the Good Samar- itan. Do we take the time and trouble to get involved? Perhaps we can assist a neighbor who is in material need, or lend a sympathetic ear to a troubled person. Maybe we can share the gospel with someone the Lord brings into our lives today. Or will we be like the religious leaders who quickly passed by on the other side and offered no help?

Social welfare is a system of laws, programs, and services which provide for the meeting of social needs in order to promote the well-being of people and the humane functioning of society. The church has a ministry of love and mercy and must be exercised through individuals, fami- lies, and small groups of people giving freely and providing, with love and compassion, to those in difficulty and in need. Social welfare work should be a concern for every congregation which remains the household of faith.

Believers are not only members of the church community but also members of the wider com- munity. The church cannot be an isolated enclave of self-concern, so engrossed in maintaining itself and its own programs that it cannot see beyond the fences of its property to the community in which it lives.

Let’s honor our Lord by responding to the needs of others as He would. As the church engages in social welfare services it is better able to acquire understanding of social problems. Kindness is never out of season.

.