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James 1:27-Evaluating a Physical Need Before You Meet It

James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

James 1:27 happens to be one of those verses used by people who believe Christianity should be characterized by love for the unsaved and meeting physical needs. In their opinion our ministries should be about giving to the poor, defending the abused, feeding they hungry, and fighting injustice in the world.

Now to be honest I have no problem with Churches making things like this a priority but our main priority should be preaching the Gospel of Christ, and discipleship of Believers. However James 1:27 makes it seem as if the Gospel should take a back seat to meeting physical needs.

Because of this confusion it’s important to keep a few things in mind

We are to evaluate the needs of those who are in need of help
This is to be offered those who cannot help themselves (orphans and widows)
And it’s only done in time of extreme need (affliction)

It’s interesting to note that the word “visit” in James 1:27 comes from the Greek word ἐπισκέπτομαι which is translated as “1980. ἐπισκέπτομαι middle voice from 1909 and the base of 4649; to inspect, i.e. (by implication) to select; by extension, to go to see, relieve: — look out, visit.” (emphasis added, from Strongs Exhaustive Concordance)

In other words this visiting wasn’t necessarily to meet needs (though this was probably done at the time) but to inspect those who had needs, and select specific ones to help.

Sadly in todays culture it’s necessary to inspect those who say that they have needs. I’m not saying that those needs aren’t legitimate, but the Church and Christians must be wise about WHICH NEEDS they minister to since the needy will always be with us. Therefore we ask questions, examine, and decide which of the needs is greatest, or which one is most deserved.

Notice also that James specifically says this should go towards people who aren’t in many cases able to care for themselves…orphans and widows. Of course it is possible for them to meet their own needs, but it’s much more difficult for children deprived of their parent, or a wife deprived of husband and family to do so. This goes against the idea that we should help every need, and also strengthens he need for evaluation (we learn if they truly are widows or orphans).

Finally this ministry is in their affliction (2347. θλίψις from 2346; pressure (literally or figuratively): — afflicted(-tion), anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble). In most cases referring to a crushing pressure (something that is crushing them emotionally). It’s true that these times of immense pressure come into the lives of those around us, but it’s not as often as we may think.

The bottom line is yes we as Christians need to help those in need around us…but also ask ourselves some very important questions.

What is it about this need that makes it greater than others?
Is his person someone who cannot care for their own needs easily?
And are the going through a time of affliction?

James 1:27 has become very special to me during my time on the island because as an American everyone views me as rich. This creates a problem since there are many people here who have needs (food, money) and will come to me for help with them (I wrote an article about yesterday on the blog that explains this issue in more detail.)

The many needs along with my limited income, and the fact that some people on the island have interest in working or helping themselves have led me to evaluating the needs of those who come to me.

Monday evening while walking home a lady from at a nearby shop called me over and asked for help with her baby. Being a single mother I was interested in helping her by giving a bit of money but she said “know I want you to go in and buy the milk.” I kept offering her money but she continued demanding I go in and buy it which was confusing. Finally I asked the woman how much the milk was, and she told me $50. On the island people try to get you to promise that you’ll do something, and then hold you to it, her plan of course was to get me to promise to buy the milk without knowing the cost instead of providing $4 or $5.

The world is filled with people who are looking to be enabled (have their needs met) without doing any work. This is why we must listen closely to the warning of James and make sure we evaluate needs.

From the Blog

Making the transfer from “what are we doing next?” to “here’s what we are doing next”

When I came back to Barrouaille for a six-month placement, the original plan was to hold down the fort for a few months while the missionary I was replacing was in the States. This seemed ideal because four months could be spent learning from him (someone who ministered over twenty years in SVG) how ministry is done on the island.

Of course God’s plans usually don’t fit with our own. Because of some health issues and other circumstances, the missionaries return has been delayed for six-months. Meaning I’ll probably be on my own in Barrouaille.

That is at the same time a very encouraging and frightening fact.

It’s encouraging because the work of God can clearly be seen in bringing me to the island for six-months, the exact amount of time the other missionary will be gone. It also gives me plenty of work to do at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Barrouaille during my time here.

However this is also incredibly frightening since this will be the first time I’m not serving on a ministry team…in other words the buck stops with me.

This doesn’t mean I am totally alone without friends or help on the island of course (Church members and missionaries who lives about a half-hour away are a huge help). Instead this emphasizes the fact that I am now the one who launches ministries.

This is new for me since I’m used to being someone who works in the background with things like youth work, discipleship, children’s ministries, or outreach. Most of this involved my asking someone else like a fellow missionary or pastor what they think should be done, and then doing it. Being in Barrouaille on my own means taking a very different ministry philosophy.

I’m no longer the person who is asking what to do next

Instead I’m the person who TELLS PEOPLE what to do next

And it scares me to death

Among other things the Lord is leading me to start in Barrouaille

An afternoon Bible club on my front porch with short game time using my tablet, and Bible stories
A one on one tutoring program in the school system (particularly reading and writing help) using the Gospel
Discipleship studies that cover major events of the Bible
And homework help program for children on the island

As I began praying and talking to Church members about these ministries it became clear it’s MUCH easier to become involved in them after they have gotten off the ground than to actually launch them.

Launching a ministry takes lots of hard work

Like putting together a strategy or plan of action
Approaching the right people who can help, and getting their assistance
Bringing things under control in the first few weeks (they are usually chaotic)
Taking responsibility for whatever goes wrong
And making the hard decisions

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why people prefer to work behind the scenes 🙂

In a way I believe the Lord planned things this way because it forces me to step out of my comfort zone and become a true leader. One who plants ministries that not only meet physical needs of those on the island, but their spiritual needs as well. One who picks up a shovel and digs into the stony ground of people s hearts instead of waiting for someone else to do it.

And most importantly someone who obeys the call of God even though it scares him to death.

Tested Faith: A Study of James

James 1:26-It’s Not About The Culottes

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

As a teenager I was really close friends with kids who came from a conservative family that believed among other things that it was unbiblical for a woman to wear pants. While I didn’t share that belief (and still don’t) I do admire their commitment to purity and separation from the world. On a personal note I would rather side with those who want to stay as far away as possible from sin instead of those who get as close as possible to it.

Because of their convictions about women not wearing pants the daughters had to wear culottes (a form of baggy shorts) instead. While this did make them sort of stand out in a crowd none of my friends had a problem obeying their parents wishes.

Until they reached the age of a young adult that is

For some reason in College it seemed as if each one of the girls who had gone along with the conservative lifestyle suddenly decided to embrace a rebellious attitude (this was true with the young men as well). Sadly this is normal for many Christian families where the children go along with the beliefs of their parents, and don’t truly have convictions of their own. But the more I think about it, the clearer it is these children had a deeper problem.

They were gauging their spirituality by outward works instead of a heart relationship with God

James in 1:26 confronts those people who seem to be religious (do all the right things outwardly) and don’t control their tongue. In other words these are individuals who believe what’s on the inside (the heart) doesn’t really matter because God only cares about what’s on the outside.

In a way this is the mistake that my friends made and their families. Emphasis was rightly placed on being different from the world, however this focus took their eyes off an actual relationship with God, and this created a serious problem.

Understand what I call a relationship with God DOES NOT just refer to Salvation. Of course Salvation is part of this relationship, but the continuing work of the Holy Spirit in Sanctification or putting on Christ (Ephesians 4:17-24) is involved as well. This doesn’t mean we will completely become like Jesus on the earth, but will slowly become more like Him as we grow spiritually

The outer things (going to Church, reading the Bible, memorizing Scripture) are good of course because they strengthen that relationship with God. But when we use those things as the foundation of our confidence instead of a relationship with the Lord we run into serious problems.

I’ll never forget the night that God made this truth clear to me at a Wednesday evening youth service. My friends brother spoke from Romans 1:28-29

28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

He explained that Paul is writing here to Jewish unbelievers who felt that since they had the OT Law and were God’s chosen people, then following the law must be part of Salvation. This led to an attitude that believed Gentiles could never be saved unless they became Jewish converts, going as far as becoming circumcised.

Paul confronts this arrogance with the truth that real Jews had a circumcision (cutting away) that wasn’t physical, but spiritual. Paul is referring to the cutting away of our sin-nature and disobedience in the passage. As the lesson continued a light bulb went off in my head and I understood it wasn’t about the culottes (or all the other rules) but a relationship with God.

Now again that doesn’t mean we should just go out there and start living like the world! Instead we focus on having the right relationship with God in our hearts, and as that continues the outer works will flow out of the relationship. Now however instead of being the reasons God loves us, they will be parts of a testimony that points others to Christ.

From the Blog

The Difference Between Hospitality and Enabling

Last night while I was eating supper an unsaved family from down the street came by and asked if I had any food. This is actually normal since I give out things like cold water, juice, or an occasional peanut butter and Jelly sandwich. It just so happens last night I was almost out of peanut butter so nothing could be offered (this family also comes by asking for things quite often so I have to be careful about giving away food too often, otherwise they would rely on me for it every day).

Once they found out there would be no sandwich we entered in to a “bartering stage” that ended with my giving them two slices of white bread and glasses of cold water.

Once they were finished with the bread one of the daughters asked me for laundry powder for washing, and money for a candle since it was dark outside. When I refused she smiled and said “Pastor John doesn’t the Bible tell you to share!” This girl was just giving me a hard time of course because they were sitting on my porch, eating my bread, and drinking my water!

This experience illustrates one of my greatest challenges in Barrouaille, and one on almost every mission field. You will always find plenty of people in need of help…and if your American in many cases they will come to you for that help. An obvious reason for this is what we call poor in the US is incredibly rich compared to the poor in that Country (especially when you factor in the stronger American dollar), but there’s also a compassion rising up in us that wants to help those in need.

That compassion is a very good thing that I believe is placed within our hearts by God. But we must make sure it leads to hospitality (meeting basic needs, and giving a greater gift occasionally) instead of enabling (meeting every need that they come to you with).

Please understand I’m not discrediting the needs of the people. I have no doubt the family last night truly needed some washing powder, and a candle so they could see their way home. But if I met every one of their needs then my porch would be filled with people the next day demanding their candle and soap powder.

A Neighbor down the street who migrated from England flew some of her friends to Barrouaille earlier this year for a few weeks. During that time those friends seeing the great need began buying things like flip-flops and giving them out to the particularly needy. Since then people have constantly been coming to her porch months later ringing the bell and asking for their pair of flip-flops. It’s gotten to the point where she refuses to come to the door anymore, and told me in a way she HATES the island because of the people constantly coming to get free things.

The truly sad thing is her friends were honestly trying to help by giving out gifts in love. However they became enablers (people who would not say no) instead of offering hospitality (meeting a small need occasionally) so now the people see her as that enabler.

Okay so what is the difference between hospitality and enabling?

Hospitality offers what they truly need: one of the most common requests is for money so a person can buy food (usually meaning alcohol) I instead invite them to my home for a glass of water and peanut-butter sandwich
Hospitality gives a VERY small amount of money sometimes ($1 or $2), and remembers who you give that money to (the family last night got $2 last Friday which is why I didn’t do more to help them more)
Hospitality understands exactly what they are asking for before agreeing: I had a lady last night who asked me to buy “milk for her baby” (which she conveniently had nearby) I was confused as to why she wanted me to buy it instead of giving her some money so I continued asking questions till she told me the milk cost $50.
Hospitality has rules: If I give someone money then they won’t receive any thing else for a week as a general rule (I usually break this, but they won’t get money twice a week)

Now this may seem a bit harsh considering the great need I’m surrounded by, but hospitality also offers things to people much more precious than money

A cool spot on the porch and a cold drink on a hot afternoon
A listening ear
Conversations that explain to them the Gospel of Christ, Bible stories, and a Christian testimony
A Church family that together can meet their most pressing needs
Bible studies that help them grow into spiritual maturity
Outreach ministries of the Church that minister to their deeper needs (counseling, tutoring and homework help)
And eventually the strength to go meet their own needs instead of relying on someone else

Do I enjoy sending away people who are in need? Of course not! But I take comfort in the fact that these unloving actions create some much-needed boundaries in the relationship.

From the Blog

A Bridge of Cold Water

It’s kind of funny sometimes the things that you take for granted until you no longer have them. Take life in Barrouaille for instance, I can live without many of the conveniences found in the US like fast-food, large grocery stores, or anything I could possibly need being a fifteen minute drive away.

Those things don’t bother me

What I do struggle living without is air conditioning 🙂

Now before you think I’m just feeling sorry for myself please don’t worry too much because the combination of a fan and open windows will keep a person cool on hot days. However being in a hot climate without air-conditioning in houses reminds a person just how awesome a glass of cold water is.

A few houses down the street from me is a large family that is cared for by the mother, and two older daughters. I’ve gotten to know them pretty well since we see each other when I go on my walks through town, and recently they began coming to my house asking for a glass of cold water in the afternoon. Being a very kind person (also known as a sucker) I would give it to them, and now hardly a day goes by when they don’t ring the bell on my porch.

This is actually fine by me because giving out a glass of water is simply a form of hospitality (helping those in need) and of course it gives me an opportunity to talk with them about the Lord. Last week I even took a jug and glasses down to them on a particularly hot morning!

In a way it’s easy to view something as giving out a glass of cold water as unimportant but it’s important to understand this isn’t just a refreshing drink on a hot day. Instead it’s a brick in the Gospel Bridge built into someone’s life.

In my opinion, a Gospel Bridge is the relationship that is developed between a Christian and Unbeliever for the purpose of sharing Christ and living out the Gospel

Now this doesn’t mean of course that every relationship a Christian develops with the unsaved has an agenda (the only reason I’m spending time with you is to share the Gospel) but Believers should be looking for opportunities to connect with unsaved around them. In those relationships God will provide opportunities to live out the Gospel through a Christian testimony or share it verbally.

The thing about Gospel Bridges is you can’t build them overnight. They must be built one brick at a time.

Saturday morning my neighbors came by and asked along with the usual cold water if I could fill a very large jug they were using to wash their clothes by hand. Lugging the now extremely heavy full jug back to them I brought up casually “you know we are having a young people’s meeting at Church next Friday, you should come.” After asking what time both of them agreed to be there.

I’m not entirely sure if they are actually going to back that promise up with action, or they were just trying to get me off their back. I do know however that if I had tried asking them to a young people’s meeting the first night their answer would have been no.

Because I was just the new American missionary nobody knew anything about

Now I’m the American missionary who gives them cold water, and greets them by name every day.

It’s easy when trying to reach people with the Gospel to look for huge life-changing opportunities. But this focus keeps us from noticing the simple everyday actions that can slowly but surely build a bridge into their lives