Last year the items left behind ranged from blankets, to coats, and even a bread maker! At least two or three days out of the winter I would come to the building and have to haul a load of stuff into the building. Only once was a note left which simply read, “Give this to someone who needs it.”
Several times I had wondered who this unidentified do-gooder was. Last week I finally got a chance to meet the person. As I was sitting in my office preparing for a lesson, I saw someone go walking past my window. I jumped up, headed for the glass doors at the front of the building to meet them. When I walked up to the doors they were already gone, but I looked down and saw another bag. I knew instantly that it had to be the same person who had left so many other things behind.
I quickly opened the door and stuck my head out, looking down the sidewalk. She was walking briskly toward her car. I called out, “Hey, how are you doing?” Her head snapped around, and she paused, as if wondering whether or not she should talk to me. I really don’t think she wanted anyone to know who she was. She just wanted to do her good and be left alone. Finally she smiled, and started walking back in my direction.
She confirmed to me that she was the one who had been anonymously dropping things off on our doorstep. After a few minutes of talking to her I realized that the reason she brought the items to our doorstep was because she wanted to make sure that they were given to someone, and not sold. She explained that she had looked into various charities, but it seems a lot of them were selling things to people, instead of giving them. She thought the best way to make sure they made it to people who were in need was to give them to the church.
Now granted she probably didn’t distinguish between us and the denominations down the road, but came to us because we were closer. In case you’re wondering, I did get her contact information and hope to be able to set up a time to talk and study with her. What struck me about this woman, though, was her concept of benevolence. We often talk to people in the community approaching us from the “give-me” perspective of benevolence, but how often do you meet someone outside the church (or any “church” for that matter) who has the “let-me-give” perspective of benevolence?
Think about helping. What should it mean to Christians? How helpful toward those in need have you been lately? Maybe you’ve been very helpful, or maybe you have been selfish. Maybe the congregation you attend has done much to help the community around it, or maybe it hasn’t. I’m not trying to indict you of anything, but is your conscience?
A few passages for you to consider:
Proverbs 3:27-28 NKJV
(27) Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
(28) Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you.
James 2:14-18 NKJV
(14) What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
(15) If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
(16) and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
(17) Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
(18) But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
Luke 6:35 NKJV
(35) But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Galatians 6:10 NKJV
(10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Matthew 6:1-4 NKJV
(1) "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
(2) Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
(3) But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
(4) that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Matthew 5:16 NKJV
(16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Since we are certainly in a season where much of the rest of the world focuses on giving and “good-will toward all mankind,” will you stop and think about what that means to the Christian? As you are giving and receiving gifts, will you consider the blessings you have, and how you might be able to bless others?
~Daniel Howell
This is so encouraging to read. What an amazing heart that woman has! Thank you so much for sharing :)
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