But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 1 John 3:17
If there is anything that will take you down faster than anything else in life, it will be to withhold compassion and generosity from people around you. Here is yet another reason why we don’t want to be like Jonah.
We’ve said that egoism is “inordinate concern for One’s welfare and interest.” And Jonah was a man completely devoted to his own interest. His thinking, feeling and acting were all driven by and devoted to himself. A lifestyle the bible counsels against.
When the sailors were worried about their lives and when they were face to face with death, this guy, Jonah, was sound asleep, worried free… He demanded that God takes his life when the lives of 120,000 souls hung in the balance.
Here is lesson #3: Do not look only to your own interest!
We are called to loose the bounds of wickedness
We are called to let the oppress go free
We are called to share our bread with the hungry
We are called to reach out to the homeless and the poor
When we see the naked, it is our duty to clothed them
God is concerned about the poor, so should we!
If we are not – than the question should be asked, how does that impact our faith? It does big time! It shows if our faith is dying, dead or alive. “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:15, 16, 17; Deuteronomy 15:7-11
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Phil. 1:4
Walter Bright 
I agree with you whole heatedly! What is your impression of the invalid at the Bethesada pool the one Jesus healed? And how should we help the poor in this day of deceit when all the “helping organizations” are pocketing your gifts!
LikeLike
Thank you so much for this awesome comment. The questions are really great and deep as well… Deserving of some deep reflections… I hope I can say something meaningful.
I think he (the invalid) had many opportunities to put his act together… Complacency, excuses, and I guess a little idleness, didn’t help him. Than Jesus showed up yet with another opportunity to help him get back on his feet. I think, Jesus telling him to “get up and pick up your mat” is indicative of him saying, okay, you’ve sat there too long looking for help, now get up and do something for yourself. I appreciate that fact that he didn’t just leave him there with “good luck pal” and walked away. I however, understand that some people need help but sometimes they don’t want to help themselves.
To answer the question about the deceit and corruption with many charitable organizations:
-Do a proper research before you give
-Give to those who are giving almost everything away instead to those trying to feed themselves
-Be wise in your giving… Find organization that are trying in innovative ways to fix the problem instead of just throwing $s at the problem
The good news is there are still good people, organizations out there doing work of charity in a god-fearing way… Look for those.
-I think calling out… Naming and shaming those groups that are corrupt and dishonest is key… Maybe they will change their ways, and better yet, good people with a heart to give but are discouraged by the deceit will be encouraged to trust and give again
There are a lot of you out there with better or additional thoughts, please feel free to add your thoughts.
God bless! And thanks for the comment!
LikeLike
Very good response! And yes the question was a bit loaded! Your spot on with invalid question in labeling him as disabled, you could have even taken into account the fact that he walked away without even speaking to Christ as prevalent attitude in our age! Yes Jesus did feel compassion and helped, and had more to offer , but the man was unthankful and walked away! Yes there are some good organizations out there, but the church is God’s preferred location in opinion! I apologize for sending such a loaded question but it seemed appropiate at the late hr when I typed the question! Looking forward to next Jonah post!
LikeLike
I agree with you… I would most certainly go with the church or a church sponsored organization. I am glad you asked… It made me think… Thank you!
LikeLike
Your welcome! My ambition has always been to promote thinking! Nowdays i focus about thinking in a positive way! Just be easy on me or not in your next post! I resembled the part about being self absorbed and running from the Lord in this post!
LikeLike
Another amazing post, thank you for sharing! I do hope all is welll! God Bless 🙂
LikeLike
Been very I’ll… But I am recovering… Thanks for asking!
LikeLike
Sorry to hear you have bn ill, glad to hear you recovering. you very welcome. God Bless 🙂
LikeLike
The fastest way to destroy “I care” is to place a “don’t” right in the middle of it. That’s what got Jonah, and it can get us too!
LikeLike
Well said! That’s why you should have written a piece in the series 🙂
Bless you brother!
LikeLike