When Your Whole World Changes - COVID-19 Special EditionSample

The Gift of Helping

My wages were cut during the pandemic, and after paying rent we had very little left for food. It was humbling to accept help because we normally take care of ourselves. 

We didn’t want pity, but we were grateful for the help.

Helping others during a time of crisis seems so simple. Yet helping can have a different meaning and impact depending on how it is given and who receives it. For some people, helping is simply the act of providing goods or services for those who can’t provide for themselves. For others, helping expresses love and concern for the well-being of another person. Offering help may be motivated by generosity or tainted by pity and guilt. Needing help may feel like a weakness or failure. Receiving help may inspire relief, gratitude, and hope.

Helping people in need, when it is done with sincere understanding, compassion, and love can have a lasting impact. Helping others can show people what God is like and how much He loves them. Consider the messages about helping in this story from the life and ministry of Jesus.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

Matthew 9:35–36; 15:30–31

Whenever you help someone, consider the possible meaning and impact of your actions. Pray for God to help you to understand and respond to people in need in the same way that Jesus did. 

Ask God to bless your gift of service so that people will recognize God’s love for them and praise Him for his goodness.