It's common to find people who are in need of our help. Life is full of ups and downs. Occasionally, we are down and need help from above while at other times we are up and in a position to help those below.
Sometimes it becomes a dilemma mostly those times when we feel we are not so comfortable to help, but I have learnt that it is part of our obligations as Christians to look out for the welfare of our brethren.
We have to be wholeheartedly compassionate to the needs of others. Even though we may not owe them anything but because we owe our lives to God, we have to obey his teaching and giving is part of his teachings.
We also know that by helping, we serve as an extension of God's hands as we give because he is the one who gave us this obligation.
According to Psalm 37:21, I learnt that even though the wicked borrows and doesn't pay back, the righteous shows mercy and gives. This means that giving is an important part of righteousness unlike the wicked who does not pay what they owe.
Are we obliged to help others financially, even if we don't owe them anything?
Yes, from the teachings of Bro Eli on this matter, it is clear that we are obliged as instructed by our maker to help others because in doing so, we serve as hands of God, doing his good work.
How can we show compassion to those in need?
Rom 13:8: "owe no man anything, but to love one another. For he that loveth another has fulfilled the law".
That is to say that we have to show love by being our brothers keeper. Give food to the hungry, shelter to the homeless, clothes to the naked and provide health care to the sick. Let no brother die of hunger and let no sickness be unattended.
In doing these, we have fulfilled the law.
God bless you all!