Don't let fear keep you from helping someone

Most cultural coping mechanisms that have appeared in our society have hurt us more than they’ve helped us because they’re all rooted in fear.

May 10, 2024

Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? (James 2:15-16)

You’re at church. It’s a normal day. Maybe you volunteer in a ministry there, holding doors or taking care of babies. And someone walks in who is obviously homeless, who has holes in the clothing that they’re wearing—not the intentional kind people think are popular. Maybe this person doesn’t even have shoes.

What do you do?

Maybe you’re at work or at school, and someone sits next to you at the lunch table. And you see that this person has a cup of instant noodles to eat. Maybe you’ve noticed this person eats that a lot, possibly because it only costs 50 cents in the lobby’s vending machine.

What do you do?

American society has trained us to not ask questions, especially in the last five years. Frankly, everything we’ve trained ourselves to do in the world since 2020 needs to stop. Most cultural coping mechanisms that have appeared in our society have hurt us more than they’ve helped us because they’re all rooted in fear.

Do you know what the opposite of fear is?

Love.

As long as you are ruled by fear, you cannot love others.

Do you know Jesus? Has He saved you? Does He provide for your needs? Then don’t be afraid of a homeless person who stumbles partly unclothed into your church. Don’t be afraid to ask that person sitting next to you if they’d like something else to eat. Don’t be afraid to share generously what God has given you with those around you. God always has more, and the more you give, the more He will give to you.

I understand, though. I’ve been that fearful person, afraid of what people would think of me, afraid of how others would see me, afraid of not having enough.

Can you define “enough”? I’ve tried. And when I realized that “enough” was never enough, I stopped trying and started trusting and obeying.

Obviously, you need to be wise. You need to listen to the Spirit’s leading. You need to make sure you have healthy boundaries in place.

But don’t let fear cause you to refuse to help someone who needs it. If your reason for refusing to help someone is that you don’t have enough, let’s talk about faith. Because if you know Jesus, if you trust Him, if you are trying to obey Him, that means you are relying on Him to provide for your needs. Not yourself. Not your job. Not your family. Only Him.

Yes, there will be fear when you step out in faith the first time, but God won’t let you fall.

If another human being comes into your circle in a way that you can help them, as a follower of Jesus Christ you have a responsibility to do so.

Does that mean you stop at every street corner and hand all your pocket change to the guy with the cardboard sign?

Well, is that what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do? I won’t contradict Him. If you know that’s the action you’re supposed to take, do it. Don’t hesitate. Don’t delay. Do it now. And do it in Jesus’ name, not your own.

But I will say, in your generosity, be wise. In your compassion, guard your heart. In your service, be aware of the opportunities available for people who need help. You may not be the one who can best help them, but you might be able to put them in contact with the people who are.

God has given us so much. Even those of us who barely make it paycheck to paycheck, knowing Jesus is the greatest wealth we could ask for. I’ve seen His provision too many times to take it for granted. He’s held me upright too many times to think I can walk in my own strength. He’s blessed me in too many ways for me to believe it was anything I earned. So how can I cling to what He freely gave me when another person truly needs help?