• Do Something, Anything

    By: Kristen L. McNulty

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    According to statistics:

    Almost half the world live on less than $2.50 a day (GlobalIssues.org)

    1 billion children worldwide live in poverty (UNICEF).

    2.1 bullion people lack access to safe, readily available clean drinking water at home (WHO).

    65.6 million people on earth today are refugees, asylum seekers or displaced. Many of these living in tents in refugee camps where survival is a constant struggle (UN).

    If you're anything like myself, you feel overwhelmed when hearing such statistics. That kind of poverty is so far removed from our lifestyles of health and wealth. But it's not something we can ignore either.

    Over and over again the Bible commands us is to care for the orphan, the widow, and the poor. To speak up on behalf of those without voices. And to give what we have to those who go without.

    Deuteronomy 15:10 "Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do."

    Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice."

    And Isaiah 58:6-7 says:

    “No, this is the kind of fasting I want:
    Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
    lighten the burden of those who work for you.
    Let the oppressed go free,
    and remove the chains that bind people.
    Share your food with the hungry,
    and give shelter to the homeless.
    Give clothes to those who need them,
    and do not hide from relatives who need your help."

    As we see from these verses and so many others, the question isn't "should we act?" but rather "why aren't we?"

    It's really not that complicated, but it does involve surrender. Surrendering our time. Surrendering our money. Surrendering our selfishness. Surrendering our superior attitudes. It also requires silencing. Silencing our judgement. Silencing the voice inside that says one person can't make a difference. Silencing our doubt. Silencing our hesitation.

    So will you surrender and silence? And instead embrace the kind of radical lifestyle that lives out the gospel in all areas, including your time and your money?

    When we live this way we might not collect possessions or accolades in this life, but we are storing up our treasure in heaven.

    In Luke 12:33-34 Jesus said, "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Whatever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

    So what about you? Are you tired of hearing statistic after statistic, seeing need after need and doing nothing but come up with excuses of why you shouldn't act? Then do something, anything today. Get connected with an organization. Start a fundraising drive. Set aside money in your budget to sacrificially give to the poor. Sponsor a child. Volunteer at the local food bank. Bring a meal or groceries to someone who is struggling. We don't have to look very far to see people in need and we don't have to look past the mirror to see someone who God can use to meet that need.

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