“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” James 4:17
Today is “Giving Tuesday” in our part of the world. It’s a special international day of generosity in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Many charities are raising funds for causes dear to their hearts and receiving matching funds. One of my favorite “giving opportunities” helps native missionaries suffering financially, to support their work, aid the local church with the written Word and provide food and medical supplies.
In my Bible study group we were discussing James 4. One lady commented that because of the “stay at home” rules from the governor, she had actually saved money! She wasn’t spending as much as usual and was quite excited about that! I had been thinking the same thing about myself! I haven’t been eating in restaurants, or going to shopping malls, or places of entertainment. No new spring clothes to buy because there was no Easter Sunday! So at the end of the month, I was able to put something aside!
James, the Lord’s brother, had wonderful things to say about Christian living, listening to the Word and doing it! There are all kinds of sins. There are moral sins, ethical sins of conduct, spiritual sins of pride, sins of prejudice, but the most insidious is the sin of “omission.” It’s knowing what you ought to do, but not doing it. The sin of omission is not easily seen! My husband Terry used to quote from Henry Blackaby’s writings on this subject. He said, “If the Lord blesses you with funds you hadn’t planned on, maybe He intended that money for someone else! Look around you and see if there is a need you could supply. If you have the ability to help a person in need and don’t do it, to you it is sin!” So I looked around and the Lord put a family on my heart. With so many fathers and mothers out of work, we don’t have to look very far to see where we could bless a needy brother or sister. If you have extra money right now, pray and ask the Lord if it could be used for His glory somewhere else. “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin,” James 4:17.
The message of James is “Let’s do it – live by faith – put into action!” James is speaking to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations who fled after Stephen was martyred. James tells those Christians and us today, “You have to do more than just talk about your faith – you have to put your faith into action for the glory of God.” What you do with your faith matters, now and for eternity, so put it into action! Faith without deeds is dead!
On one of my medical trips to Tanzania, Africa, I had an experience I haven’t forgotten. We had worked hard in the clinic all week, it was 3:00 pm on Saturday. I wanted to give the workers some time off to rest and recuperate since we were leaving early the next morning. The weather had been hot, with a dry, dusty wind, and we were exhausted. A dear Muslim lady clad in a black burqa walked up and requested to see the doctor. I hugged her and told her in the nicest way possible, we were closed and wouldn’t be able to see any more patients. At that moment, Justus, our medical student saw her and said he would be happy to help her. Immediately, I thought of those verses from James: “Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead,” James 2:15-17. It was a good lesson for me! Let’s put our spiritual shoes on and see what we can do for the glory of God!
Your friend, Jean