Consider Giving Your Sandwich To Somebody

There’s been a lot of disasters lately. I feel like we should explore the concept of helping on another. Just the other day, a local TV station was raising money for Joplin disaster. It was a very hot day. I didn’t feel like going, but then I told myself, whatever little money I can give will help people who are need right now. I got hot and exhausted but it was worth it. I unknowingly encouraged some people that day. If I hadn’t went that never would have happened. And those people wouldn’t have got encouraged. I’d like to show you what it says about helping your neighbor in a portion of Proverbs.

Proverbs 3:27-30

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.

I got some more scripture that goes along with giving. But before I do this, I’d like to point out something interesting I noticed in the scripture I’m about to share. It’s simple, I just never recognized it before. I was like. “Ah, now it makes sense.” I always wondered why Paul talked so long that somebody fell aleep and fell out the 3rd story window. Back then it was more of a square hole in the side of the wall. It was because he was never gonna see that group of people again. So he wanted to spend as much time with them as he could.

So as we read this last chunk of scripture, look at Paul’s example and what he went through. And if He can do that, I’m sure we can give food, money or clothing when the opportunity, present itself to help somebody in need.

Here’s that scripture and have a great one!

Acts 20:7-12

7 On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight. 8 The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps. 9 As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below. 10 Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!” 11 Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord’s Supper, and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left. 12 Meanwhile, the young man was taken home unhurt, and everyone was greatly relieved.

Acts 20:16-35

16 Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus, for he didn’t want to spend any more time in the province of Asia. He was hurrying to get to Jerusalem, if possible, in time for the Festival of Pentecost. 17 But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.
18 When they arrived he declared, “You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now 19 I have done the Lord’s work humbly and with many tears. I have endured the trials that came to me from the plots of the Jews. 20 I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes. 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.
22 “And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, 23 except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. 24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.
25 “And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the Kingdom will ever see me again. 26 I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.
28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders. 29 I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock. 30 Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following. 31 Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.
32 “And now I entrust you to God and the message of his grace that is able to build you up and give you an inheritance with all those he has set apart for himself.
33 “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. 34 You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. 35 And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

And remember to consider giving someone a sandwich.