1 John 3:17-18 - Generosity in the body

Scripture:

1 John 3:17-18
17 But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
NASU


Thoughts:

John is perhaps most noted as an author for his exhortations to love one another within the body of Christ.  No doubt the words of our Lord went down deep in his own mind and soul:

John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 
35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
NASU

Here he is exhorting us under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to generosity within the church.  What a beautiful expression of love this is when we help one another in our times of need through our possessions, our skills, even monetarily.


Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for the privilege and joy that You've given to us of helping each other in our times of need.  Having been on both ends of this wonderful gift at times in my life, I know that from either end there is a joy and overflowing of praise to God that comes with it.

May I be willing to share with my brothers and sisters, guided by Your discernment.

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.