"Do everything you possibly can for those who need help." (Pro 3:27)
“To make a difference in someone else’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, of perfect. You just have to CARE.” - Mandy Hale
“Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community.” - Anthony D’Angelo
Scripture: Rom 12:4-5
"4 Each one of us has a body with many parts, and these parts all have different uses. 5 In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body, and each part belongs to all the other parts."
A C.A.R.I.N.G Community
I. CARE Lavishly
that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. (1 Cor 12:25)
Different forms of care:
- Offering Encouragement
- Providing Comfort
- Journeying with Others
- Speaking words of assurance
- Empathising with others
- Meeting Physical Needs
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Col 4:6)
"If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (1 Cor 12:26)
II. ASSIST Willingly
Parable of the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:30-37)
What do you do when you see a need?
III. REPROVE Gently
To reprove means to scold or correct gently or with kindly intent. - Webster's Dictionary
“This saying is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith” (Tit 1:13)
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over." (Mt 18:15)
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph 5:11)
"But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning." (1 Tim 5:20)
Speak the truth in Love.
The Word of God tells us that we should correct a person in love and with patience.
IV. INVOLVE Impartially
"14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (Jas 2:14-17)
To be Caring, we have to Take Action and Be Involved in some way
"34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. 35 And when it was already late, His disciples came up to Him and said, “This place is secluded and it is already late; 36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” (Mk 6:34-37)
4 kinds of people in this world
- Those who make things happen
- Those who watch things happen
- Those who wonder what just happened
- Those who do not know what just happened
Let us strive to be people who make things happen!
Cross different barriers to reach out to our oikos, the migrant community, the under-privileged and others.
Make a greater impact as a caring community!
V. NURTURE Lovingly
We need to nurture toward growth and maturity.
To see growth and maturity, it will take time and effort.
God nurtures us through the Church!
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Php 2:4)
VI. GUARD Zealously
Guard zealously against wolves in sheep clothing.
Guard against:
- Disappointment
- Discouragement
- Loss of Zeal
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." (Eph 6:11)
Conclusion
"For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore, I command you, 'You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.'" (Deu 15:11)
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." (Pro 3:27)
