If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 1 John 3:17

Sometimes (often actually) the Bible can be so direct. There’s no dodging this verse and not many ways to interpret it. Basically, if you are reading this message, you have more than most people. In basic terms, you are considered rich. You are what this verse would class as one who has material possessions. Don’t look too far or wonder who we’re talking about here. That’s you. OK, now that we have that one settled, here’s what the Bible says about you. If you (as one having material possessions) see a brother or sister who is in need – in other words, they have less than you; they can’t afford to put food on their table or have nowhere to stay – and have no pity on them, then how can the love of God be in you?

We spend so much time philosophising over whether they deserve it or whether they shouldn’t really just find a job, etc. We have every reason in the book to not give someone who has need. But one display of the love of God being in us is that we give to those who have need. The best thing to do with money is to give it away. The best way to use our possessions is in a way that blesses other people and nourishes and empowers them to be all that they can be. Because remember, you’re blessed to be a blessing and you can’t love God and money at the same time; it’s either one or the other, and the best way to show which you love is to give the other away. Which is it going to be?

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