Good Things Christians Do

[Rollo Tamasi]

1. The Catholic and Evangelical churches combined are the largest provider of healthcare and education in the entire world, with nobody a close second.

2. The church pioneered social work to try and bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

3. Save the Children is a large relief agency that also made the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.

4. The Red Cross was founded by Christians, better know as the Camillians, or "ministers of the sick".

5. Churches were the first orphanages in the Middle Ages.

6. Early church Fathers advocated against polygamy, abortion, infanticide, and child abuse.

7. Church teaching heavily influenced the legality of marriage since Gregorian times.

8. Christians birthed the care for the elderly and disabled in society.

9. Christians had a major influence on civil liberties and prison reform.

10. Christians led the way for factory reform and the welfare of children.

11. Many others can be listed;

The Braille system for the blind
International fair trade for the poorest societies in the world
Habitat for Humanity
Shelters
Salvation Army

and many more.

Yes, Christians did and still do have a positive impact on humanity.

Praise the Lord!

 

[Edward]

And what is your point?

That we could all pitch in just a wee bit more perhaps? :yes

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

That we could all pitch in just a wee bit more perhaps? :yes

Thank you. I agree.
I had hoped with this positive thread that it would encourage people to want to do more.

 

[Edward]

That the church is severely lacking in it's duties as an ambassador for Christ.

Right...and we are the church, individually. I used to not help the poor very much. Thinking that I couldn't afford to. Ha! We can not afford not to. These are our people. I have been helped out before when I needed it. there are others who need it now.

I've taken to helping people on the street moreso than giving to a church. It's good to give to the church on Sunday, but...putting it directly into his or her hand that needs it now saves them some time, gas, perhaps grief or embarassment and redtape from going to a church building and applying for help. Sure they might go get drunk with it, but that's not not a reason to not give to them. Even people with addictions get hungry. I wont let that stop me, that's a rationalization.

I don't grill them or admonish them to not go spend it on liquor or whatever. That's not my job. I'm no judge. To give with a good heart and a prayer also is what we are here for. Freely we have been given, so freely we give. That's all there is to it. Saying that the church may misappropriate it or the people may go get get drunk or whatever is rationalizations and has nothing to do with the heart that gives.

Just do it.

 

[Blake]

Right...and we are the church, individually. I used to not help the poor very much. Thinking that I couldn't afford to. Ha! We can not afford not to. These are our people. I have been helped out before when I needed it. there are others who need it now.

I've taken to helping people on the street moreso than giving to a church. It's good to give to the church on Sunday, but...putting it directly into his or her hand that needs it now saves them some time, gas, perhaps grief or embarassment and redtape from going to a church building and applying for help. Sure they might go get drunk with it, but that's not not a reason to not give to them. Even people with addictions get hungry. I wont let that stop me, that's a rationalization.

I don't grill them or admonish them to not go spend it on liquor or whatever. That's not my job. I'm no judge. To give with a good heart and a prayer also is what we are here for. Freely we have been given, so freely we give. That's all there is to it. Saying that the church may misappropriate it or the people may go get get drunk or whatever is rationalizations and has nothing to do with the heart that gives.

Just do it.

Amen! God doesn't see the act and say "Edward has fueled the habit of an addict..." but rather "Edward has given in My name."

 

[Blake]

Thank you. I agree.
I had hoped with this positive thread that it would encourage people to want to do more.

I am encouraged and want to do more, allenwynne.

This thread is full of edification and compunction... and amen, both are necessary for our souls.

 

[Edward]

I'm not referring the Spiritual Church of Christ. I'm talking about the physical church. The ones that rake in countless millions a month. The ones that lock their doors to the homeless and pass on their responsibilities to the secular institutions of the world.
.

I understand that brother...but I jumped up and grabbed that responsibility as an individual and ran with it. Which is where is begins...

 

[Edward]

There is so many reasons to give and help others.
The lord said when you help others it is like helping Him. Like the scripture says, Lord when did we give you drink? When did we visit you in jail? The Lord said, when you did it for a stranger that you did it for Him. That's paraphrased, but you remember it. ;)

Plus, recently, I read (Psalms? Proverbs?) that it said that when you help the poor, that it is like loaning money to the Lord...and we know that He will pay us back.

I have found that when one starts giving to the poor, that it is sort of addictive. It grows on you and makes you want to do it more. I think it affects our heart and makes us grow?

 

[for_his_glory]

Don't be the one on the left hand!!!

Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

 

[reba]

I just read the body of Christ at work...

thanks for the guys :nod