“Love ‘em where they are.” (Philip Bray)
By Jan Moser, 1996
Well, as always, when I hear or read a lot about something in a short period of time, I figure that God is sending me a message. : ) One of His recent reminders to me is about His desire for us to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. I was reading an article in "Discipleship Journal" recently. They jogged my memory with a verse that really grabbed my heart:
Prov 14:31 (NIV) He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
So helping the poor actually honors God. This really made me stop and think....
And a bonus of helping the poor, is that we will be blessed in doing it!
Prov 14:21 (NIV) “He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”
Also, sometimes the blessings come directly from the poor themselves! Sometimes, we who minister to the poor tend to think that we do all the "giving;" however, we actually can learn and receive from those whom we serve. We need to always be open to "receiving" from them -- whether it is via their hospitality, prayers, learning from their faith, or whatever! They are part of Christ's Body also, and something that I myself forget sometimes, is that He has gifted *them* to help build up the Body, just as He has gifted us!
My husband, Richard, and I recently received a call, asking us to be on "The Cup" team. "The Cup" is our church's ministry to homeless people. We the church provide a weekly church service (for which I am honored and humbled to be one of the pianists), for homeless people in midtown Atlanta, as well as counseling and a monthly medical clinic. For those of you who are like me — who like practical ideas about putting verses into practice — here are more, in some excerpts from that May/June 1996 issue of "Discipleship Journal:"
"Some urban churches provide after-school programs for latchkey kids. Such programs need tutors, people to prepare snacks for the kids, etc."
"Every time you buy a new item of clothing, give a piece of used clothing, that's still in good shape, to a homeless shelter."
"When you go food shopping, take advantage of two-for-one deals, then drop off bags of groceries to a family you know, who is suffering financially."
My note: Or drop off non-perishables to a food bank or the Salvation Army.
"Adopt an elderly shut-in with limited income and become her hands and feet. Offer to do her grocery shopping once a week. Drive her to doctor appointments. Assist with housecleaning - either with your own elbow-grease or by hiring a service."
God can and will provide opportunities, if we are willing to serve.
2026 note: The Cup, led by the late Philip Bray, would become one of the most meaningful ministries in which I have ever served. We later moved our membership to another church; however, it is my understanding that the Cup was eventually incorporated into another outreach program of Bray’s, SafeHouse Outreach Inc. which is in downtown Atlanta, and which continues to provide multiple services to those without earthly homes.
Dear Lord, thank You for opportunities to help those who are needy. Please help us to do this humbly, and to receive gratefully their gifts in return. May You be glorified, and Your purposes fulfilled, in all our ministry to the poor. In Jesus' name amen.
By Jan Moser, 1996
Well, as always, when I hear or read a lot about something in a short period of time, I figure that God is sending me a message. : ) One of His recent reminders to me is about His desire for us to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. I was reading an article in "Discipleship Journal" recently. They jogged my memory with a verse that really grabbed my heart:
Prov 14:31 (NIV) He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
So helping the poor actually honors God. This really made me stop and think....
And a bonus of helping the poor, is that we will be blessed in doing it!
Prov 14:21 (NIV) “He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”
Also, sometimes the blessings come directly from the poor themselves! Sometimes, we who minister to the poor tend to think that we do all the "giving;" however, we actually can learn and receive from those whom we serve. We need to always be open to "receiving" from them -- whether it is via their hospitality, prayers, learning from their faith, or whatever! They are part of Christ's Body also, and something that I myself forget sometimes, is that He has gifted *them* to help build up the Body, just as He has gifted us!
My husband, Richard, and I recently received a call, asking us to be on "The Cup" team. "The Cup" is our church's ministry to homeless people. We the church provide a weekly church service (for which I am honored and humbled to be one of the pianists), for homeless people in midtown Atlanta, as well as counseling and a monthly medical clinic. For those of you who are like me — who like practical ideas about putting verses into practice — here are more, in some excerpts from that May/June 1996 issue of "Discipleship Journal:"
"Some urban churches provide after-school programs for latchkey kids. Such programs need tutors, people to prepare snacks for the kids, etc."
"Every time you buy a new item of clothing, give a piece of used clothing, that's still in good shape, to a homeless shelter."
"When you go food shopping, take advantage of two-for-one deals, then drop off bags of groceries to a family you know, who is suffering financially."
My note: Or drop off non-perishables to a food bank or the Salvation Army.
"Adopt an elderly shut-in with limited income and become her hands and feet. Offer to do her grocery shopping once a week. Drive her to doctor appointments. Assist with housecleaning - either with your own elbow-grease or by hiring a service."
God can and will provide opportunities, if we are willing to serve.
2026 note: The Cup, led by the late Philip Bray, would become one of the most meaningful ministries in which I have ever served. We later moved our membership to another church; however, it is my understanding that the Cup was eventually incorporated into another outreach program of Bray’s, SafeHouse Outreach Inc. which is in downtown Atlanta, and which continues to provide multiple services to those without earthly homes.
Dear Lord, thank You for opportunities to help those who are needy. Please help us to do this humbly, and to receive gratefully their gifts in return. May You be glorified, and Your purposes fulfilled, in all our ministry to the poor. In Jesus' name amen.
“Love ‘em where they are.” (Philip Bray)
By Jan Moser, 1996
Well, as always, when I hear or read a lot about something in a short period of time, I figure that God is sending me a message. : ) One of His recent reminders to me is about His desire for us to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. I was reading an article in "Discipleship Journal" recently. They jogged my memory with a verse that really grabbed my heart:
Prov 14:31 (NIV) He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
So helping the poor actually honors God. This really made me stop and think....
And a bonus of helping the poor, is that we will be blessed in doing it!
Prov 14:21 (NIV) “He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.”
Also, sometimes the blessings come directly from the poor themselves! Sometimes, we who minister to the poor tend to think that we do all the "giving;" however, we actually can learn and receive from those whom we serve. We need to always be open to "receiving" from them -- whether it is via their hospitality, prayers, learning from their faith, or whatever! They are part of Christ's Body also, and something that I myself forget sometimes, is that He has gifted *them* to help build up the Body, just as He has gifted us!
My husband, Richard, and I recently received a call, asking us to be on "The Cup" team. "The Cup" is our church's ministry to homeless people. We the church provide a weekly church service (for which I am honored and humbled to be one of the pianists), for homeless people in midtown Atlanta, as well as counseling and a monthly medical clinic. For those of you who are like me — who like practical ideas about putting verses into practice — here are more, in some excerpts from that May/June 1996 issue of "Discipleship Journal:"
"Some urban churches provide after-school programs for latchkey kids. Such programs need tutors, people to prepare snacks for the kids, etc."
"Every time you buy a new item of clothing, give a piece of used clothing, that's still in good shape, to a homeless shelter."
"When you go food shopping, take advantage of two-for-one deals, then drop off bags of groceries to a family you know, who is suffering financially."
My note: Or drop off non-perishables to a food bank or the Salvation Army.
"Adopt an elderly shut-in with limited income and become her hands and feet. Offer to do her grocery shopping once a week. Drive her to doctor appointments. Assist with housecleaning - either with your own elbow-grease or by hiring a service."
God can and will provide opportunities, if we are willing to serve.
2026 note: The Cup, led by the late Philip Bray, would become one of the most meaningful ministries in which I have ever served. We later moved our membership to another church; however, it is my understanding that the Cup was eventually incorporated into another outreach program of Bray’s, SafeHouse Outreach Inc. which is in downtown Atlanta, and which continues to provide multiple services to those without earthly homes.
Dear Lord, thank You for opportunities to help those who are needy. Please help us to do this humbly, and to receive gratefully their gifts in return. May You be glorified, and Your purposes fulfilled, in all our ministry to the poor. In Jesus' name amen.
Arabic
French
Spanish
Portuguese
Deutsch
Turkish
Dutch
Italiano
Russian
Romaian
Portuguese (Brazil)
Greek
हिन्दी