Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.~ Galatians 6:2-5
I find it fascinating that Paul instructs us to carry each other's burdens and yet finishes by saying we should all carry our own load.
I find it fascinating that Paul instructs us to carry each other's burdens and yet finishes by saying we should all carry our own load.
At the time of writing this, I was due to be preaching in a few weeks time on the subject of giving. The verse that inspired this is from 1 John (3:17). If you have material possessions and see a brother in need, but do not help them, how can the love of God be in you?
And then I started thinking about the early church. How they sold all they had and gave to all as they have need.
One could argue, an early form of the benefits system!
In my church there are a lot of conservatives and thinking about how to present this to them, as a socialist, made me consider their approach to individual freedom and responsibilities. A tory friend, yes I do have them, pointed out to me that as Christians it's is our individual responsibility to look after the poor through acts of charity. And I concede, there are two major drawbacks to the benefits system.
1. Those who receive them can often become dependant on them and lose the incentive to work. Not all, but some, for sure.
2. That those who should be engaging in charitable work can ignore the problem because the state is doing that already, and 'that is why I pay my taxes'.
Now I could go into this extensively but I really want to point to the way Paul puts both of these things into juxtaposition.
We cannot ignore the need around us. It is not good for us to do so, both individually and corporately as a church.
I believe charity does begin at home within the church, but it extends beyond that. But there is no putting a value, spiritually speaking, on what helping others does for us. The love of God is abiding in us and being expressed through us. What a joy.
And we are shown here that individually we are to take responsibility for our own burden also. Not being too proud to accept help but not to be complacent about the help we receive. To honour God in all aspects of our lives.
Elsewhere we are told he who will not work should not eat.
Vastly open to misinterpretation but all the same, essential to hear. We are not to be leeches.
It's primarily about a culture of honour. That is the kingdom of God.
It comes down to this. Love God, respect God. Love and respect others as you love and respect yourselves.
Each should bear their own burden. But we should bear each other's burdens also.
And the love of God be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
And then I started thinking about the early church. How they sold all they had and gave to all as they have need.
One could argue, an early form of the benefits system!
In my church there are a lot of conservatives and thinking about how to present this to them, as a socialist, made me consider their approach to individual freedom and responsibilities. A tory friend, yes I do have them, pointed out to me that as Christians it's is our individual responsibility to look after the poor through acts of charity. And I concede, there are two major drawbacks to the benefits system.
1. Those who receive them can often become dependant on them and lose the incentive to work. Not all, but some, for sure.
2. That those who should be engaging in charitable work can ignore the problem because the state is doing that already, and 'that is why I pay my taxes'.
Now I could go into this extensively but I really want to point to the way Paul puts both of these things into juxtaposition.
We cannot ignore the need around us. It is not good for us to do so, both individually and corporately as a church.
I believe charity does begin at home within the church, but it extends beyond that. But there is no putting a value, spiritually speaking, on what helping others does for us. The love of God is abiding in us and being expressed through us. What a joy.
And we are shown here that individually we are to take responsibility for our own burden also. Not being too proud to accept help but not to be complacent about the help we receive. To honour God in all aspects of our lives.
Elsewhere we are told he who will not work should not eat.
Vastly open to misinterpretation but all the same, essential to hear. We are not to be leeches.
It's primarily about a culture of honour. That is the kingdom of God.
It comes down to this. Love God, respect God. Love and respect others as you love and respect yourselves.
Each should bear their own burden. But we should bear each other's burdens also.
And the love of God be shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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