1 Kings 17:8-16; Acts 20:32-35; Matthew 5:1-7
Introduction
"It is not how much we give, but how much love we put in giving" Mother Theresa.
Beloved in Christ, on this special Worldwide Communion Sunday, we are all gathering as one body, united with Christians across the globe - the Holy Universal Church, to remember the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we break bread and drink from the cup, we affirm our oneness in Him. Today, let us reflect on our call to care for God’s children, particularly those needy. Caring goes beyond just giving, caring is about giving in much love.
In the Bible, we read more of God's instructions on how we, as followers of Christ, should support, advocate, feed, and care for the poor, the hungry, the weak, and the marginalized in society. In our readings today, we see three perspectives that challenge and encourage us to act in love toward those in need in society. Come with open hearts and minds to understand how God calls us to care for His needy children.
Trusting God in Scarcity and Generosity
In 1 Kings 17:8-16, we encounter the history of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. In a time of famine, God sent Elijah to this widow who had very little. She was preparing to make her last meal for herself and her son before they died of hunger; “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” (1 Kings 17:12). Yet, at the prophet’s request, she shared her little with him. "She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah." (1 Kings 17:15-16). God honored her generosity and trust, and her resources were miraculously never used up. Her consumables became assets.
This encounter teaches us that caring for the needy requires faith. In this case, God is pointing to us that, no matter how much we find ourselves being in need, we should still be generous. The widow gave out of her poverty, trusting that God would provide. In the same way, we are called to give even when we feel we have little to offer. God can multiply our efforts and resources when we act in faith, love, and compassion.
When we care for those in need, we do so not out of abundance but out of a heart that trusts God to supply all our needs. Listen to Jesus speaking about another widow, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44). It is not just bout the giving, but how much love we put into the giving.
Paul's Farewell - The Blessing of Giving
Apostle Paul gives a farewell address to the elders of the church in Ephesus. In his message, he emphasizes the importance of helping the needy and reminds them of Jesus' words: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). Paul himself set an example by working with his hands and using his resources to care for others, showing that true leadership and discipleship involve serving others.
Our attention is again drawn to the fact that the blessing in giving is not just for the receiver but also for the giver. When we give, we reflect the heart of God, who gave us His only Son. This act of giving binds us closer to the character of Christ (Matt. 15:32) and opens us to the joy that comes from caring for God's Children.
Paul situated his valedictory message in the church, to the children of God, saying, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35).
Caring for the needy, especially your fellow Christian, is not just a command but a privilege. It blesses us as much as it blesses those we help. Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Our calling as Christians is to bring lives to Christ not just to make a living here. Caring for God's children should be our top-most priority in this Christian journey.
The Beatitudes – Mercy as a Mark of God’s People
From the Sermon on the Mount, we hear the words of Jesus, where He describes the blessings that come to those who live according to the values of the Kingdom of God. The Beatitudes reference; "the poor in spirit;" those who mourn; the meek; and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are persons whose hearts are with Christ, meanwhile, they have needs. God gives assurance of the kingdom of God, comfort, inheriting the earth, and being filled. In the 5th Beatitude, Jesus says, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 5:7). This teaches us that showing compassion and mercy to those in such need is a reflection of God's mercy toward us.
God has demonstrated in Scripture to us that He is not raining Manna to His children anymore. He is actually, not throwing MoMo Cash on phones, on the ground, etc. See this, God sent His prophet, Elijah to a widow who had something little, Paul calls for the support of fellow Christians - those who have Christ, emphasizing work, and Jesus showers His blessings on those who live His kind of life. My dear, what do you have to merit His care and love? God's providence is first coming to us because we are His children (John 1:12). Reflect on your identity with Christ...
Precious one, when we care for the poor, the hungry, the sick, and the marginalized, we live out the mercy God has shown us. As recipients of God’s grace and mercy, we are called to extend that same to others, especially to the needy in Christ who are often overlooked and forgotten by the church and society.
Mercy and compassion are essential marks of God's children. As we have received mercy, we must also show mercy.
Communion as a Call to Action
Today, as we partake in the Lord’s Supper, let us remember that this is not just a ritual. It is a reminder of Christ’s ultimate act of giving—His life for the salvation of humanity. Communion is a celebration of our unity in Christ, this unity is a call to extend loving care to God's children and even beyond the church walls, especially to the needy. My emphasis here is, that our care and generosity should be towards God's children, within the fellowship, those we eat and drink the body and blood of Jesus Christ with before we step out.
Jesus, through His life and ministry, constantly reached out to those on the margins—feeding the hungry, healing the sick, and embracing the outcasts. As we gather at the table, we are reminded that Christ’s body was broken and His blood shed for all, including the poor and the needy. Therefore, caring for the least among us is not optional; it is a fundamental expression of our faith.
Conclusion
Dear Sermonette reader and follower, as we reflect on the theme of “Caring for God’s Children – The Needy,” let us remember that our faith is shown not just in words but in actions. The widow’s faith was proven in her willingness to share her last meal; Paul’s leadership was proven in his service to the weak; and our identity as followers of Christ is proven in our mercy toward others.
As I bring my message to an end, may we be inspired to seek out the needy, the poor, and the vulnerable in our church, communities, and beyond. May we trust that God will provide as we give, knowing that sharing is more blessed than receiving. And may we reflect the mercy of our Saviour, who gave His all for us, by showing mercy to those in need. Amen!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for our redemption, and in remembrance, we come to His Holy Communion table. Help us to follow His example of compassion and generosity, especially toward those who are in need. As we partake in communion today, unite us with our brothers and sisters around the world and empower us to be Your hands and feet, reaching out to the poor and needy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
