Scripture tells us that in the First Century church, people loved one another radically. They shared whatever they had, and they took care of each other as if they were a family. When one part of the body was not functioning well, the entire body responded to care for the sufferer. Widows and orphans were cared for, as were the elderly.
In our church is a man and wife who came from a country that is an avowed Islamist republic. I don't know why they came here, but once they did, they found Jesus. They found love in His churches, and they responded to that Love. Although they can not go back to visit their family because they would be arrested and possibly killed (as infidels now), they say their family here is what matters...their church family.
He is a contractor and does all kinds of work -- power washing, painting, staining, fixing, tiling, reinstalling, etc. His worth ethic can be described as "indefatigable." But he won't give anyone in the church a bill for the work he is doing. He says, "we are family, and I know that my family will take care of me if I have a need."
This makes all of us very uncomfortable! We are so conditioned to evaluating a job, estimating its worth, and then paying a fair price for it, we are stymied by this serene confidence he radiates as he shows his love for his family by serving.
Sometimes it is a bit unnerving. But as we bask in this man's absolute faith in the Lord's provision, we are blessed beyond measure. Yes, it is a blessing to have some work done around here. But the greater blessing is in understanding what those who had experienced Jesus's presence understood. We are all together, or we are not the Body. We must love. Completely. Wow...
3 comments:
That is an inspiring story. Thank you for sharing it.
Church family: That is exactly what the priest's homily was this morning during daily mass!
My grandmother lived this way. I wish so much I was better art giving freely. I try, but often I worry about how I will make ends meet rather than trusting.
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