The Right Way to Help Others: Biblical Compassion
The Right Way to Help Others: Biblical Compassion
.jpg)
By Brenda Armstrong
We are living in tough times and most families are cutting expenses to make ends meet. Some, for the first time, are finding themselves asking their family or church for help. If times are difficult for two parent families, imagine the struggles that single parent families are facing.
Lynn, a single mom, has two kids: Bryan a first grader and Melissa in eighth. To provide for her family and earn a higher income, Lynn put herself through college while working as a store clerk. She earned a teaching certificate two years ago and was thrilled to quickly find a teaching job. The school system, affected by the recession, is now making cuts. Without tenure, Lynn will be facing a layoff by summer.
Lynn has some difficult decisions to consider. Should she move from her school district to find another teaching job? If she found a new job that was far away would she be able to sell her house? If she doesn’t find a new teaching job will she have to go back to the lower paid clerk job? She’d like to keep her children somewhat settled where they are. But without help, she won’t be able to do that. Her family is far away and cannot offer any assistance. She doesn’t attend church regularly and wouldn’t think of asking the church to help her. Lynn feels completely alone yet she is just one example that illustrates the predicament of thousands of single parents in your community.
Lynn is not alone with her problem. God has given us all we need to support each other in the way He intends. God created us to live in community in order to set up a “hierarchy of help,” so to speak. It begins with the individual having the primary responsibility to do all they can to provide for their own household. If a need is still unmet then extended family is supposed to step in. If family is unable to fill the need, then the church has a responsibility to care for those in the household of faith and also for those who have no one to care for them.
The Bible very clearly states, “Let us do good to all people and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10) “Whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 John 3:17)
Many of us recognize those in need like Lynn and realize we need to help but find we are overwhelmed by the issue. There seems to be so muchto do and limited resources to meet the rising demand. We wonder if we can even make a dent in the ever-increasing need. How can we be sensitive to the problems faced by these families in an appropriate way and preserve dignity and respect?
First, we must remember God does not give those helping the ability to meet every need. He will use times of need to allow individuals to look to and draw closer to Him. The Bible does, however, instruct us to “carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 NIV) Simple things to lessen specific burdens on these families can bring much needed relief without diminishing God’s role or the individual’s responsibility.
How to Help
A good example of an effective program would be an outreach activity designed to draw single parents. Ideas could include typical clothing exchanges or even more specifically focused programs such as a back to school event. Single parents can sign up for the event and the church can collect needed school supplies for each student. Include additional items needed for school such as sports equipment, required uniforms, and backpacks. If you are going to have a large number to serve, involve your existing small groups to focus on collecting specific items. People within the church will respond enthusiastically to this type of event where they can focus on simple, specific needs with quick results. After the event make sure and follow up with your volunteers and to let them know the results of their hard work.
Another great idea is to form a “fix-it" ministry. Teams from the church set specific times to visit the home of single parents and do simple maintenance and repairs. Projects like spring cleaning and winter preparation are greatly appreciated and can save the single parent much needed money, time, and energy! Include teenage children in the chores to show them how to do them. This includes them in the giving and allows them to share in the responsibility.
The primary idea behind these types of events is to get involved with single parents in your church and community. This lets them know that you care about them and that they do have a support network available to them in times of need. The emotional support for them can be life-changing and you’ll be surprised how many will want to give back and serve others.
Resources for your church from Mercy Tree Ministries
1. Watch these short videos now to find out more:
Learn the top 10 needs of single parents and how to meet them.
Easy to organize, low cost things you can do to meet the need
Options that require more organization and funding
How to set up a full-scale ministry with staff and facilities