How Can I Help?

ByJim Stephens

Reading: Romans 15; Proverbs 17

1 Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. 2 Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”  (Romans 15:1-2 MSG)

Paul was strong. He was strong in will, strong in passion, and strong in the faith. Like Jesus, he knew that the strength he had been given was for the benefit of others, and not to benefit himself.

We all need to be reminded that our maturity and strength are not to benefit ourselves but serve and strengthen others. As we become spiritual grown-ups, it’s not so we can make others look immature, but so that we can coach the young believers to maturity. We’re not developing strong spiritual muscles to flex in the mirror at God’s Gym, but to give the weaker believers a hand with their burdens.

It’s not enough to develop ways to attract more people to our church services and mobilize more members to serve in projects and ministries. We must also motivate stronger and more mature Christ-followers to help, encourage, and coach younger and weaker believers.

I’m learning to see every grace, each blessing, every gift, that comes my way as intended by God to help others. When I realize that gifts are for giving, grace is for sharing, and strength is for service, my attitude will be “How can I help?”

Among my GraceNotes readers are many strong and able Christ-followers and many who are young in their faith. If you are mature, what are you intentionally doing to help, encourage, mentor a younger believer? If you are young in your faith, ask God to lead you to a mature Christ-follower whose heart says, “How can I help?”

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for every rich blessing you give me. Thanks for the strength you’ve built into my life through the years. I know my strength is in you alone. I’m surrounded by your mercy and blessed by abundant amazing grace. May I be a mercy-shower and a grace-giver. Help me to look at those around me and their situations with the attitude, “How can I help?”