"God's Week" Advocate

Today I am advocating for your Christian community to work together for the poor. The community should have a dinner and silent auction to raise money for the poor. I know that some people do not think that they can help, but it is the duty of a Christian community to support those who have less. Paul writes, “This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God” (2 Corinthians 9:12). Furthermore, this gift is given for the sake of keeping the gospel alive, and when your community needs help you will get the help. “Our desire . . . that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so in turn their plenty will supply what you need” (2 Corinthians 8:13-14). Some day you will need help, so now when you have enough to fulfill your needs you should help the people who do not have enough. Our first example of a true gift comes from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Thank you for the help and support that you have already given to the less fortunate in your community, and I pray that you will continue this support through the dinner and silent auction. But, only give what has been placed upon your hearts because it is written, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).