I know I should do more, but I don’t have the money. What do you think?
Question:
I thank you for your articles. They are very helpful. Thank God for men like you. I work with people who are just religious but think that all of us are Christians including themselves. They are trying to find connections with the church of Christ and the denomination because they realize that I belong to the church.
Right now I am bothering myself with the thought of not doing enough spiritually. I keeping telling myself that a lot of things I need to do I am not able because of the lack of finances. But, to be honest, should I be bothered, knowing that God will provide according to Matthew 6, even if it is to do His will? I am trying to find ways of earning more without being a university graduate. In my zeal to do more, I find myself to be murmuring and beating myself. Although I did not go into all the details, what's your take?
Answer:
"So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do'" (Luke 17:10).
Christianity isn't just about the charitable deeds that we do, but in every aspect of our lives we see the amount of work that needs to be done; yet, we are limited by funds, time, skills, etc. God isn't expecting the impossible from us. He is expecting us to do the best with what we have.
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:9-10).
Notice that Paul said, "as we have opportunity." Not all of us are going to be in the right place at the right time. Still, as opportunities arise, we ought to do what we can, even if it is something small. "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42).
But what is even more important is teaching the people around us. "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" (John 4:35). Jesus told the disciples this because they did not see that there were people around them needing to hear the gospel. Wherever we are, whenever we can, we should point people to the Way. That doesn't take a university degree or a high paying job. "Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:37-38).
