Do I appreciate what I have as a member of Christ's church and do I live to make a difference as God intended with the gospel?
"This grace was given me ...the unsearchable riches of Christ...the manifold wisdom of God...according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ." Ephesians 3:10-12
Over this past year, I have had the good fortune to work for a 501C-3 charity that supports relief projects in developing countries. Working for a charity has opened up a wonderful world for me. The opportunity to help people in need and get paid at the same time is quite the privilege! The position I have also enables me to network with dozens of local charities and see how they function. One thing is clear, there is no such thing as a perfect charity! Wait, let me rephrase that...Besides the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no such thing as the perfect charity.
Without boring 
you with all the details and criticisms people have for various charitable organizations, it would be helpful to look at the scriptures and see how the gospel meets the criteria of the GOOD elements man made charities represent. This is a type of apologetics and shows the wisdom of God's plan.
The question I asked my self through this process was: "Do I appreciate what I have as a member of Christ's church and do I live to make a difference as God intended with the gospel?" God's plan is perfect. We have "the perfect charity" right in front of our noses!
Through Christ, we are the key part of it to help the world.
- People everywhere are in need - ALL people.
- We have what it takes to meet all their needs "according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)
- God has entrusted us to be his "willing volunteers" (Judges 5:2)
THE PERFECT CHARITY WOULD BE BOUNDARYLESS IN THOSE IT HELPS.
I work with an organization that focusses its funds exclusively to help those outside of the United States. Other organizations here in America are limited by resources to only help those nearby. Wouldn't it be great to be able to simply help anybody, anywhere, anytime? God's church does that.
Matthew 28:18-20 covers all people everywhere. And not only are physical and emotional needs met, the deepest spiritual needs are. Personal Scripture Reflection: Genesis 1:1, Revelation 5:9, Daniel 7:14, Matthew 6:25-33, Psalm 145:9
THE PERFECT CHARITY WOULD PROVIDE REFUGE TO THE NEEDY IN WEARY LANDS BY BRINGING ONTO SAFE SOIL, AND WOULD ALSO SEND PEOPLE TO WEARY LANDS.
My organization looks for the poorest of the poor, goes there and helps them through education, AIDS prevention and agrarian improvements. Some organizations are resettlement agencies. Working with the United Nations, they bring in refugees from the la
nds of the poorest of the poor and set them up in the USA with housing, food, medical care and supplies. They help refugees escape from the war-torn, impoverished area they are stuck in - often a place of despair in a camp in a bordering nation. Other organizations actually send supplies, people and monetary support to the poor in such lands to help - living side by side with them. In God's church, we are to do all of the above. Philippians 3:20 states that "our citizenship is in heaven", and even in "our homeland" we bring aid to people by sharing the gospel. We bring them out of the kingdom of darkness into God's kingdom. At the same time, many have sacrificed the comforts of home, to go into foreign lands to help the poor and get the gospel out!
Personal Scripture Reflection: Romans 10:15, I Thessalonians 2:8, Acts 8:4, John 17:13-15, Colossians 1:13-14
THE PERFECT CHARITY WOULD CARE FOR THE EARTH, ITS CREATURES, ITS ENVIRONMENT AND NOT ONLY FOR PEOPLE. 
"The Earth is the Lord's and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1) We have all seen the growth of the "Going Green" movement and the need for sustainability. One of the latest phrases for sustainability and recycling is "Environmental Stewardship" Certainly, the principles are scriptural and were in God's mind and plan.
I work with recycling clothes and found a passage where Jeremiah used recycled clothes to survive his ordeal in the cistern he was being persecuted in. (Jeremiah 38:11-12) And God even had a donkey speak up one time when being treated with cruelty. ( Numbers 22:28) Certainly, people are much more important than animals. Yet, God expects us to be holy in all our activities and interactions, wherever we live.
Personal Scripture Reflection: Proverbs 12:10, Genesis 1:26, 7:15, Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalm 24:1, I Corinthians 10:25-27, Psalm 104:11
THE PERFECT CHARITY WOULD SUPPORT ITSELF BY DEVELOPING THE NEEDY PEOPLE IT REACHED OUT TO IN THE FIRST PLACE. IT WOULD SUSTAIN ITS GROWTH AND NURTURE ITS STRENGTH BY ITS RECIPIENTS' VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION TO HELP AND DEVELOP OTHERS WHO WOULD IN TURN VOLUNTARILY HELP OTHERS WHO WOULD REACH OUT TO OTHERS. EVERYONE WOULD PITCH IN AND DO THEIR PART.
Globalization takes on a beautiful deep meaning when you consider Jesus' words in Matthew 25: "Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, you do for me."
God's plan is perfect. Christ's death on the cross and his ressurection is the perfect charity for the human race.
How much more the
n should we ingest God's will from these following scriptures?
"Finally brothers... Aim for perfection" II Corinthians 13:11-12
"Be perfect as my Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:47-48
"It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." Psalm 18:2
Personal Scripture Reflection: Matthew 13:31-34, Ephesians 4:15-16, II Timothy 2:2, I Corinthians 11:1, Proverbs 13:20, Psalm 84:6-8, Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:8
See also: "More than Volunteers" http://www.dtodayarchive.org/content/view/2003/48/
Needy, and blessed in Him,
Jerry Maday
Worcester, Massachusetts
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PS - If you would like to help start a sustainable charity drive in your church or at your job, see the tips at this link ...
http://www.metrowesthelplive.org/
We have the capability to add regional links as well, if you'd like to suggest regional organizations to add.
And let's remember to preach the word to TRULY meet people's needs!