Dr. Mike Murphy
September 30, 2023
Compassion and charity! “How can you look at that situation and not feel compassion?” “I give to our church, and I think our church is involved in a lot of charity!” “I pay taxes, and I know my taxes go to charity.” Words we hear used so often these days, but words that are often said without meaning. In a world that never sees beyond the next few minutes, these are words that have come to describe our own thoughts rather than seen reflected in our true actions. Words that fill our immediate feel good wants, instead of focusing on the Lord’s life changing needs. As we hear these words so often spoken, how much do we know exactly what these words mean? And what does the Bible tell us about each word?
Although both words tug on the heart of man, each word has a distinct meaning. The Hebrew word for compassion means, “tender mercies". While the Greek word means, “to feel inwardly”. From the first word of Genesis, to the last word of Revelation, we see the compassion of the Lord shown. We see His tender mercy, and His inward love for all mankind. Man, as one who is made in God’s image, is to mirror and demonstrate each of the traits we see in the Lord, including compassion. The Bible makes it clear, compassion is an attribute of the Lord, and should be an attribute that is found in each of us. Compassion causes us to stop and look, and draws our attention to a need that the Lord wants us to see.
The Bible describes charity as “an act of compassion”. Charity is when we put the compassion we feel into actions that will help others. When we care for those in need, we act on the will of the Lord. The willingness we show to help those in true need, is a direct reflection of our salvation and of the Holy Spirit at work in each of us.
But with each feeling of compassion, we are not to act without wisdom and discernment. We are not to give blindly to every want, but to seek the Lord’s will for true needs. We must act as good stewards, making sure our coin, time and talent is being used to fulfill God’s purpose, and to bring glory to His name. We must also never forget, the Lord can call us to charity in many ways. Sometimes our greatest charitable acts can be found in the most unusual of ways. Remember the story of the lame beggar that Peter and John encountered(Acts 3:1-10). Remember Peter’s words to this man, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you:”(Acts 3:6). What the Lord led Peter to give this man, was greater than any coin could buy! And the Lord is often leading us the same today. When we look at all the gifts the Lord gives us, gifts we may use to serve others in need today, we begin to understand the true purpose of these gifts, and just how far the Lord’s love reaches!
When we come to truly understand compassion and charity, we come to understand the role Christ calls us to today. We come to understand that charity does not draw attention to ourselves, but to the Lord’s desire in the lives of others. We come to understand that our compassion cannot turn to charity unless we are willing to serve. Christ tells us, “It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”(Matthew 20:26-28). If our role is to reflect Christ, then His words tells us that we must become a servant. Just as Christ came to serve, and to give His life, we are to give our lives in service of Him, and to help fulfill His need in the lives of our fellow man.
The word used in the Bible for servant means “slave”. Although not every servant is a slave, we do know that every slave is a servant. But like a slave, we must lessen ourselves and be willing to serve at the feet of our Master. The problem in the Church today, we see way too many who seek to be leaders without first making themselves servants. Paul said, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.”(Philippians 2:3-4). In other words, in order to serve Christ, we must have a heart to serve others.
So what does it mean to be a servant of Christ? Let us take a look at what the Bible tells us about such a servant, and what characteristics should be found in each of us.
A servant must be found with a humble heart.
The word in the Bible for humble means, “lowliness of mind, absence of self”. Humility is not defined by our outward approach, but by our inward actions. For a humble heart to be found, pride and selfish ambition must first be destroyed. The humble hearted servant looks first to the Master, not to himself. Christ’ needs becomes his wants. He soon comes to realize that what is best for the Master, is best for him. His obedience leads him to defend the truth and reputation of his Master, not the egos and desires of himself. The humble hearted servant knows that in true humility is found grace(Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5), and that in the humbleness of his heart is found fulfillment and security.
The humble hearted servant is not led to charity, charity is a part of his very being. He knows that charity allows this world to see Christ The reflection of his Master is seen in the action he takes, and can be found in the work the Lord calls him to do. He knows that to share Christ with others, is to show the world the goodness and love of his Master. A goodness and love that he could not find in his own heart had the Master not chose to first serve him.
A servant must be found with an honest heart.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts.”(Psalm 139:23). The servant knows that true compassion and charity do not exist in a feeling, but are placed in our heart by the hand of the Master. He knows that for compassion to be made more than mere words it requires a desire of the Spirit. That charity can not be forced, but must be freely given. Therefore charity can never come from any form of government, but must come willingly from each of us. The Master has also taught him, charity may starts with compassion, but it must end with accountability. Compassion may lead us to give the hungry man a fish, but the servant knows that the Master desires us to teach that man how to fish, so that his life will be forever changed. The servant does not pity those in need, but brings them to the door of the his Master. He seeks to offer more than a hand out and a handshake, but the daily life sustaining bread that only his Master makes each day. The servant knows the words his Master gave his fellow servant Peter, telling Peter those who love Him, will tend to His sheep(John 21:15-17).
A servant must be found with an unselfish heart.
"Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great."(Luke 9:48). The Master has taught his servant that greatness cannot be defined in worldly terms. He knows that if the Lord was to rank the greatest among us in each of our churches today, His order would surprise us. He knows that many who pastor our churches would probably find their name way down on the list. The servant knows that great is not the man who stands at the pulpit, but in the ones who find himself on his knees with the children. The one who gives his time to work with the youth, so that His Hope may be found in their future. The one who finds himself at the door of the sick on the days the church doors are not even open. The one who is preparing the church an hour before the service starts, so that all may hear His Word. The servant knows that greatness is not measured on Sunday, but by the man who quietly finds himself cleaning up the mess we have made of the church on Monday.
The servant knows that true charity and compassion can only be found in an unselfish heart. A heart that ask the Lord what purpose He needs fulfilled, before he tells the Lord the desires of his own heart. A man whose words and actions point others to Christ, not to himself.
A servant must be found with a giving heart.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”(John 3:16). The servant does not just know how this verse ends, but how this verse begins. “For God so loved the world, that He gave...”. The servant knows that in order to reflect his Master, he must be willing to give as his Master gave. He must be willing to give all, so that all may know the love of his Master.
The Master has taught the devoted servant of His will to serve His people. He knows that in order to serve the Master, he must be willing to serve those that belong to his Master. He knows his time and his efforts can achieve so much more when placed in the hands of his Master, than in his own. The servant knows that the Master does not seek Sunday benchwarmers, but those who are willing to give their all, so that His Words may be brought to life each day.
As we look at the role of the servant, we must ask ourselves if in us a servant is found. Does the Church today look to serve Christ, or does it look to be served by Christ? Does our compassion and charity come from how the world looks to drive us, or does it come from all that the Spirit shows us? Do we offer our compassion and charity out of obligation, or do we give it freely to serve God’s purpose and plan?
We must again remind ourselves, we can only give what we have first received. We can only give love, because Christ first showed us love. We can only serve others, because Christ first served us. We must again remember just how much charity the Lord has shown to all of us, and we cannot for a second forget all that He has given each of us. What incredible gifts the Lord has laid at our feet, gifts that carry a purpose far greater than this world will ever know. Gifts that call us into action, and affect each of those that Christ brings into our lives. What incredible service these gifts call us to perform, and what amazing promise each brings our way. Gifts that each day remind us, that for the sake of that call, we must be willing to give our all. Gifts that will one day cause crowns and titles to be placed at our feet. What a gift each day with Christ brings us. Each day Christ shows us that we have the status of a king, but the duty of a servant!Praying each of you will serve Christ!
