What are you good at? In what ways are you naturally talented? Do you know that God gave you those gifts and abilities for a reason? There are very few great projects that one person can do alone. You cannot build and maintain a large building by yourself; nor can one Christian build and maintain the Church. God has given His people gifts that work together; therefore, He can let His Church achieve much when we work together, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” What are you good at? In what ways are you naturally talented? Do you know that God gave you those gifts and abilities for a reason? There are very few great projects that just one person can do alone. You can’t build and maintain a large building by yourself. And, one Christian alone can’t build and grow the Christian community. God has given His people gifts that work together; that way, He can let His Church (the Christian community) achieve great things when we work together, “submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” . (Ephesians 5:21).

Complementary Gifts

The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body[, the Church]. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other” (Romans 12:4-5). God has given us to one another, and He has also given the Church important duties. St. Paul continues, “If God [gave] you the ability to prophesy, speak out with faith. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God [gave] you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly” (Romans 12:6-8)

Complementary Callings

One important duty is to “preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:15). As with building and maintaining the Church from the inside, God has given us complementary callings for building the Church from the outside – by sharing His Gospel. Again in Romans, St. Paul wrote, “How can [seekers] believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” (Romans 10:14-15). Within those questions, I see several Christian “job openings.” Christians are needed to preach the Good News about Jesus, and others are needed to send the preachers. The preachers and the senders will need support – financial, physical, and spiritual. And we can support them by using the gifts God has given us: teaching, giving, serving, praying, etc. We have so many opportunities to serve God, each other, and those who still need Jesus!

Prayer, Care and Share Jesus

Scripture: "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 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? (James 2:15-16 NIV) "

Jesus wants you to help people in need. You can express your care by sharing your skills or possessions. Encouragement and prayer can follow.

The Prayer, Care & Share guide, encourages you to care for people in need! Remember love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

God places "neighbors" with all kinds of needs in our path. Be watchful, intentional and creative in meeting needs like I did in these situations:

Example: Our neighbor needed a ride to visit his father. I waited 10 seconds extra so I could open the door to the building for a couple coming in, and said "God bless you!" as they thanked me.

Example: I asked Betty, a clerk who helped me at a printing center: "If there was one thing I could pray for you personally right now, Betty, what would it be?" She burst into tears and cried "My ha-ha-happiness." I prayed briefly with her, then gave her a big comforting hug. Her need was "To BE needed". God blessed her deeply in that moment.

When you ask God, He will show you people with needs around you, wherever you go.

When we respond to meet a need, share a gift, pray or encourage someone, we are serving like Jesus, as explained in Matthew 25:31-46.

A Helpful Tip: You may hesitate to meet a need and think: "I don't have enough money, or I don't know how to fix his car." You can be bold, trust God, and step into the situation. After all, God put the person in your path, and He knows exactly how you can help. God will provide the rest!