Do Something, Don't Be Stupid Devotional

Read This: “Learn to do what is right! Promote justice! Give the oppressed reason to celebrate! Take up the cause of the orphan! Defend the rights of the widow!” (Isaiah 1:17)

Think: It’s so easy to waste time. We get caught up in fixing, maintaining, and accumulating our stuff, or busying ourselves with expensive hobbies that have little to do with eternity. We live comfortably in our predominately peaceful, predictable western bubble. It may be interrupted momentarily by something on the news or a special fundraiser at church, but within hours, third world problems seem a million miles away again and we head out to drop our hard earned cash on some lunch.

Yet in an age of such advanced media technology we can’t claim ignorance to the severe crisis much of the world lives in. And as Christians, readers of God’s word, we also can’t shake the responsibility we have to be the hands and feet of Christ where people are desperate for the gospel. Problems like poverty, human trafficking, war, and disease can seem overwhelming; your efforts may feel like a drop in the bucket. But remember what Jesus did with fives loaves of bread and two fish? It may seem small to us, but God can make it into so much more for his namesake. “It is like a mustard seed that when sown in the ground, even though it is the smallest of all the seeds in the ground – when it is sown, it grows up, becomes the greatest of all garden plants, and grows large branches so that the wild birds can nest in its shade” (Mar 4:31-35).

Many are already fighting on the front lines, but they need our support. There are countless ways to help out. There are many well known and established ministries bringing aid to the suffering around the world in Jesus’ name. You’re already online, so why not take a minute to buy some mosquito nets for children at risk for malaria? They’re inexpensive and save lives. Contribute to a clean water project, sponsor a child, or support a missionary. Adopt a child as you have been adopted by God. Make it a point to go on a short term mission trip with your church—nothing beats being a part of the blessings God can pour out in the face of tragedy first hand.

The Kingdom of God is vast and we are just a small sector of it. Let’s not close our eyes, ears, and hearts to the rest of the world. We will be held accountable for how we spent our time and our resources. We are told over and over again in the Bible not to forget the poor. Living in the United States, we are among the richest Christians in the world. Do we ever look up from our feasting to notice the famine?

Ask: What is one big or small thing you can do to help alleviate poverty today?

Pray: Ask God to show you and convict you of ways you can use your time and money to further his Kingdom all over the world.