Hebrews 13:16 AMPC
[16] Do not forget or neglect to do kindness and good, to be generous and distribute and contribute to the needy [of the church as embodiment and proof of fellowship], for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
As always, the good place to start is to know and understand the context and audience a verse relates to. We know little about the writer of Hebrews, but we do know a little bit about the audience. At the start of the chapter is the charge to the audience to let love for their fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with them. You do not make such a demand from people whose hearts are not yet subject to the imprint and impact of love. A man cannot give what he does not have, and you cannot fake the fruit of the Spirit, if you do not have Him. This means that this letter is addressed to a body of believers, who have experienced the love of God, and are able to extend that same love to other people within their immediate sphere. We usually say that 'Charity begins at home' and this is also true for the church. How does the outside world know and appreciate what you have if those who are inside with you do not have the faintest idea who you are or what you have? How can I be an effective witness outside when I am yet to make the slightest difference to those who are inside?
That is the reset and reminder we all need to pay attention to. We can get so focused on making an outward impression, that we forget that God is looking for an inner conviction first and foremost, which will then lead to all the external profession and impact that the world needs. When the house is touched, the impact will practically preach its own message to the world. It is also not a wonder that Jesus, in directing the apostles to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, made it clear that they were to start in Jerusalem, in the place they called home. Do not be so concerned about what people outside will say; focus first on helping those who are in need right in front of you. I also recall the words of Paul to the young man Timothy, when he said: "If anyone fails to provide for his relatives, and especially for those of his own family, he has disowned the faith [by failing to accompany it with fruits] and is worse than an unbeliever'. It has to start form home for it to be effective and impactful.
If I truly belong to this family of God, the rules of engagement are laid out clearly in the verse above. I must not forget or neglect to be kind, and to be generous. There is nothingI have today that was not either once for someone else, or given to me by God. If I know it is not mine in the first place, it helps me to know the place, usage and limits of the things I have or been given. I am also asked to distribute and contribute to the needy around me, first and particularly to those of the church, which is the embodiment and proof of fellowship. The early church was such a perfect picture; and it still remains the model for all that God desires for all who know and follow Him. The verse ends with the encouragement that God is pleased with such sacrifices. Be sure that to obey God will cost something, but the gains and benefits that God gives make it worth the efforts. Do I belong, and am I ready for the call and demand of God on all that I am and have? God's time of favour is here.
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