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Love Changes Things! Compassion
Author : Jennifer Hallmark
“Okay,” Debra began as she and Margie sat at the break table one morning. “You know Betsy, the lady that styles my hair? She asked me a question and I wasn’t sure how to answer or even if it were in the Bible.”
“What did she want to know?”
“I was telling her how our church was supporting a church in Austria, you know, helping them to build a new building and she asked why? She said that Austria wasn’t a third world country and why would we help them? She said they should raise money themselves.”
“That’s a good question,” Margie said thoughtfully. “I know a favorite verse of mine that I think will help you explain this to Betsy.”
Margie pulled her slim line Message Bible out of her purse and turned to I John 3: 16-18:
“This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.”
“Whenever I read this verse,” Margie continued. “I realize that we in the United States have so much while many other countries in the world do not. Things we take for granted like running water, heat, air conditioning and a building to have church in are luxuries for so many.”
“When the missionary from Austria was on furlough last month, he came and spoke to our church about their need,” Debra said. “They are meeting in an old store building with a roof that leaks horribly and no indoor plumbing. The church I attend is fairly large so we decided to make it our project to help build a new building. Three other churches in our association are also helping.”
“Then you are fulfilling this verse by not turning a cold shoulder but practicing true love.”
“I can’t wait to show Betsy this verse!” Debra said. “Maybe one day I can even go to Austria and visit the church that we helped build...”
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