Let’s Get Started
I was taught that smoking a cigarette, drinking a beer, or attending a dance would send me to hell. Within that conservative environment, the threat of hell was often used to motivate the right behavior. The results were somewhat mixed.
This blog isn’t about hell, it’s about honoring God.
Some Perspective
The most offensive behaviors to God are not the above activities.
What are the most offensive? Read the text, especially the prophets. Some of the behaviors mentioned repeatedly are:
- Not feeding the hungry.
- Not caring for orphans and widows.
- Discriminating against the poor.
Condemnation and judgment were brought against His people for their greed and selfishness; for caring only for themselves.
It dishonors him, having extended his grace to us to see us not share it with others.
For Consideration
Someone suggested that we are the hands and feet of God. That God serves others through us. We give the cup of cool water. We offer food and clothing. We care for the orphans and widows.
It honors God to work in us so that He can work through us.
Bringing It Home
Yesterday morning, I got to see these values in action. The Southeast Church of Christ in Friendswood, Texas once more dedicated themselves to helping the helpless of Haiti.
They now sponsor 318 children for Christian education, up from 233. They brought bags and boxes of needed items for the children. It was thrilling to see hundreds of individuals, couples, and families, while singing praises, come forward to place their gifts on the worship center stage.
The Southeast church has a heart for helping. Their heart springs from their vision. Not to be the biggest, or the greatest, or the most famous, but the vision to honor God by helping.
As believers, we strive for purity. We say no to sin because his grace teaches us to say no. We honor him by our helping, teaching, and giving; from a cup of cool to the living water of Christ.
To Finish
No one can do everything for anyone. But everyone can do something for someone. Sunday morning, the Southeast family did something for someone.
They didn’t solve Haiti’s poverty or attempt to ship American prosperity in a box. But they did what they could, they did something to help.
And to God be the glory!
Shalom
Rick Fyffe 
Great blog, Rick. To God Be the GLORY!!!
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Words of wisdom straight from the Word. Thanks, Rick. Miss you all.
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Amen. Well said!
Condemnation and judgment were brought against His people for their greed and selfishness; for caring only for themselves.
It dishonors him, having extended his grace to us to see us not share it with others.
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Once several years ago a young lady chiropractor was starting her business, and therefore found herself in our neighborhood knocking on doors in the summer heat, as I was mowing the grass. We declined, but as I was finishing 15 minutes later, I noticed her coming back up the street on the other side, and realized that she, as was I, was probably thirsty. I went inside and brought her- literally- a glass of cold water. She was a Christian, and we both nearly cried with the symbolism… And I learned that literal lesson!
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