1st 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?” HIS BROTHER HAVE NEED. There is more to love than fickle emotions that rise and fall like the wind. Even if one lays down his life for another, or out of his abundance does send To meet the needs of a brother that arise because he’s been repeatedly asked, Is far different from love that “sees,” and love that arises to the task.
When I have enough of this “world’s goods” and I am able to live quite well, It is time to consider, not just give a casual glance, my brother has a need he can’t fill. He may not be my friend or some special person, but the need is there just the same. It is important that I look and then show some love, doing it in Jesus’ name.
All that I have has come from God, it is not mine to hoard and just keep, Worldly goods have been given me for living and also to meet other’s needs. Love exhibits itself in many ways, one of which is to help a person in want. The Lord made it plain if I have some to give, it would be wrong to say I can’t.
Sometimes to live is harder than to die, for living involves more than me. I am part of a large family, I can’t feed all of humanity, but I can help those I see. The love of God has been shed in the hearts of His own, it is natural for them to care; To use my “world’s goods” is part of what it means, to help him, his burden to bear.
“Father, I know the burdens of the saints are sometimes never expressed and can only been known by my looking. Give me an eye to see where the needs around me are and to wisely respond to real needs, not just to the complainers. Let me see through Thy eyes what is really needed. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”