We will be talking about Hurricane Harvey for a long time to come.
Here in Beaumont, we are in the process of cleaning up. Homes that have been destroyed will have to be rebuilt.
The last two weeks I have seen something amazing. I’m not talking about the wind or rains from Harvey, although it was unbelievable to see so much devastation.
Rather, I’m referring to the amount of beggars I’ve seen! Yep, that’s right…
BEGGARS!!!
Now before you assume the worst of me, let me explain. There’s a passage found in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 that I shared with someone earlier this week. Do you know what it says? Here it is…
1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.
3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,
4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints-
5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. – 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
The saints in Macedonia saw a need that their brethren had, and they did all they could to help meet that need.
Did you read verse 4 carefully? The saints were begging Paul with respect to taking part of assisting the needy saints, even though they were poor! That’s love.
So how did they do it?
Read verse 5. They first gave themselves to the Lord. They recognized what Christ had done for them. He willingly sacrificed His life for the world. Now they were trying to walk in His foot steps by sacrificing what they had for the needy saints.
They were BEGGARS!!!
I’ve seen so many beggars during the last two weeks. I know that people were beggars way before the hurricane! But this storm has reminded us of the good hearts that so many have.
Now is an opportunity for us to be BEGGARS!