Only they would that we should remember the poor…
Galatians 2:10
God created man twofold. We read in Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul”. God’s foremost interest is in the undying soul, but he is also concerned for the needs of the body, and God wants us to likewise have a concern for both needs. We see that demonstrated in Mark. 8:2, “I have COMPASSION on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat”.
Jesus’s compassion moved him to action, and it should us, also. We read in 1 John 3:17, “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” Words are cheap. It costs us nothing to say, “I’m praying for you”. But it will cost us to reach into our pockets and show that our love is more than words. 1 John 3:18 says it well, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth”. And, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, SEE THAT ye love one another with a pure heart fervently”. 1 Peter. 1:22. This kind of love is not optional. “This is my COMMANDMENT, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” John 15:12. God help us to get our love across to others; having a concern first for their spiritual needs, but along with that, not forgetting the material necessities that might need addressed.
