How Can You Help?

Serving – April 2012 – Grace & Truth Magazine

How Can You Help?

“Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, and also some women.” — Luke 8:1 NIV

The Lord Jesus came to earth with an important message that everyone needed to hear. Luke wrote this about His mission: “Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God.”

Was He alone in this communication task? No! We read that He had helpers. Luke 8:1 tells us this: “The Twelve were with Him, and also some women.” We know that the Lord Jesus miraculously multiplied fish and bread (Lk. 9:10-17), but this was not His normal way to meet the physical needs of His team. Among them were some very grateful women “who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means” (Lk. 8:2-3).

Christian leadership ability is a gift from God (Rom. 12:8). Leaders are able to communicate visions, propose action plans and design structures for useful Christian ministry. But without helpers, they do not get very far! The apostle Paul, a man of great energy and contagious enthusiasm, was gifted with a large vision. But he needed helpers to make it happen! Some of these helpers are mentioned by name, like Timothy and Erastus (Acts 19:22), and Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila (Rom. 16:1-3). Tertius helped by providing secretarial skills, and Gaius helped by making his house and resources available to Paul and the church (Rom. 16:22-23). Those in the Corinthian church helped by praying (2 Cor. 1:11). And the mother of Rufus must have been a special woman because Paul records that she helped him by being “a mother to me” (Rom 16:13).

Likewise, today local churches and Christian ministries need all kinds of helpers, including warm-hearted, caring “mothers.” In the various lists of gifts, we find mentioned “those able to help others” and “those with gifts of administration” (1 Cor. 12:28). Can you help? Do you help? Would you like to help?

Sometimes we may be called to work alone, but usually the Lord works through teams of people, with each person sharing his or her own personality, experience, gifts and skills. We serve the Lord as members or separate parts of the one body, of which Christ is “the Head.” This ensures that every person, every function and every task is significant. Christ’s objectives are reached “as each part does its work” (Eph. 4:15-16). Are you helping? What is your task? Are you doing it joyfully?

We can all help in different ways: by praying (Rom. 15:30), by giving (2 Cor. 9:2), by encouraging (2 Cor. 7:13) and by joining a team and “doing” (Rom. 16:12). Sometimes no one notices what we do. As the years go by we may even forget much of what we ourselves have done. But God doesn’t. Our “God ... will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end” (Heb. 6:10-11).

Find out how you can help. Then get involved, and enjoy it! It’s worth it!

By Philip Nunn