In my last post, I developed the topic of what a Christian man’s good work is, namely, that of guaranteeing the wellbeing of those in need around him. We saw that there are excellent examples throughout the Word of God of men taking responsibility for others, such as Abraham, Judah, Jonathan, and John.
Today I want to cover the biblical teaching on this topic. Let’s first look at what the Old Testament has to say about caring for the needs of others.
Old Testament Teaching
A believing community that is fully obeying the Lord will eradicate poverty within it. This is why Luke stresses in Acts 2 and 4 that “there were no needy people among them.”
4 There need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, 5?if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today. Deuteronomy 15:4
However, since the Lord knew his people would not fully obey his law, he also states that there would always be poor people in the land. Jesus later reaffirmed this fact.
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:11; Matthew 26:11
God commanded his people through Isaiah that they were to seek justice by pleading the cause of the fatherless and widow.
Learn to do right; seek justice.?Defend the oppressed.Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:15
New Testament Teaching
One of Jesus’ requirements for discipleship is that his disciples be willing to sell all that they have and give the proceeds to the poor.
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21; Luke 12:33; Luke 18:22; Mark 10:21
In Paul’s last instructions to the Ephesian elders, he cited his own example of supporting his own needs as well as the needs of those around him.
32??Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33?I have not coveted anyone?s silver or gold or clothing. 34?You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35?In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ?It is more blessed to give than to receive.? ?
The result of unity in the body of Christ is believers concerning themselves with the needs of others.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2?then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3?Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4?not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:1-4
The love of Christ and on-going need cannot coexist in the local church.
16?This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17?If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18?Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18
The purest expression of our faith is to look after orphans and widows.
27?Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
The purpose of good works is to provide for urgent needs.
14?Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. Titus 3:14
The church is to concern it self with the needs of widows who have no other support.
3?Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4?But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5?The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6?But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7?Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. 8?Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
9?No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, 10?and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord?s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. 1 Timothy 5:3-10
Wealthy believers are to be generous with their wealth.
17?Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18?Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19?In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.1 Timothy 6:17-19
Summary
A primary purpose of a Christian man’s good work, then, is to eradicate need around him as an expression of his love for God, his love for people, and his obedience to the Scriptures. This truth is clearly taught in many different passages in both the Old and New Testaments.
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Learn how to form teams of men for every widow, single mom
and fatherless child in your church at NewCommandment.org.
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One thought on “A Christian Man’s Good Work, Part II”
Just noticed incorrect verse when i looked it up…should be Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:15