Offering Support and Help in Times of Need
Biblical Foundations for Offering Support
The biblical concept of offering support and help in times of need is rooted in various passages that emphasize the importance of caring for one another. In Romans 12:13, believers are exhorted to "Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality" [1]. This verse highlights the need for Christians to be actively involved in supporting their fellow believers, particularly those who are experiencing hardship or difficulty.
The Psalms also provide a rich source of guidance on this topic. Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble" [3]. This verse underscores God's role as a helper and refuge for His people, and serves as a model for human behavior. In Psalm 10:14, the psalmist notes that God "consider[s] it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless" [4]. This passage illustrates God's concern for the vulnerable and highlights the importance of human action in supporting those in need.
Forms of Support
The biblical concept of support encompasses a range of activities, including prayer, sympathy, comfort, relief, and protection. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various ways to support those who are afflicted, including praying for them, sympathizing with them, pitying them, visiting them, comforting them, relieving them, and protecting them [5]. These actions are not limited to spiritual support but also include practical forms of assistance.
In 2 Corinthians 1:11, Paul expresses gratitude for the prayers and support of the Corinthian believers, demonstrating the importance of intercessory prayer and mutual aid within the Christian community [2]. The practice of sharing resources and providing for one another's needs is also emphasized in Romans 12:13 and Galatians 6:10, where believers are encouraged to "do good unto all" [1, 10].
Theological Perspectives
Different Christian traditions have interpreted and applied these biblical principles in various ways. John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, notes that God is the ultimate source of help for His people, and that He provides redemption and deliverance for His mercy's sake [6]. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, John Chrysostom emphasizes the importance of charity and mutual support within the Christian community, citing Matthew 18:20 as evidence of Christ's presence among believers who gather in His name [8].
The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, highlights the importance of supporting those who preach the Gospel and care for the spiritual needs of others [9]. Clarke also emphasizes the need to prioritize support for those within the household of faith, while still recognizing the importance of doing good to all people [10].
Conclusion
The biblical concept of offering support and help in times of need is a multifaceted one, encompassing a range of activities and emphasizing the importance of mutual aid within the Christian community. As Psalm 121:2 declares, "My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth" [7]. This verse serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate source of help and support, and that human actions should be guided by a recognition of His sovereignty and provision.
Sources
- Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 1:11 — Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.”
- Psalms “Psalms 46:1 (BSB) — God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.”
- Psalms “But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and the fatherless. -- Psalms 10:14”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted, Duty Toward The — To pray for them -- Ac 12:5; Php 1:16,19; Jas 5:14-16. To sympathise with them -- Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2. To pity them -- Job 6:14. To bear them in mind -- Heb 13:3. To visit them -- Jas 1:27. To comfort them -- Job 16:5; 29:25; 2Co 1:4; 1Th 4:18. To relieve them -- Job 31:19,20; Isa 58:10; Php 4:14; 1Ti 5:10. To protect them -- Ps 82:3; Pr 22:22; 31:5.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 44:26: Arise for our help,.... Or, "arise our help" (s). God is the help of his people, and he is a present help in time of trouble; and he is the only one; and he can help and does, when none else can; and redeem us for thy mercies' sake; not for the sake of her integrity and faithfulness; nor for her sufferings for Christ's sake; but for his grace and mercy's sake, which is the source and spring of redemption or deliverance, both temporal and spiritual; and to that the saints ascribe it, and not to any merit of theirs, or works of righteousness done by them. (s) "auxi”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 121:2: My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Who helps his people out of the hands of all their enemies, and out of all their troubles and afflictions; he helps them in the performance of duty, in the exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lord's battles, and on in their journey; he helps them to all blessings, temporal and spiritual; to all needful supplies of grace here, and glory hereafter; and this help he gives is quick and present, suitable and seasonable, is sufficient, and sometimes with, and sometimes without means; and they h”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: raise the dead, or cleanse the lepers, but that we may show forth what is a greater miracle than all these—charity. For wheresoever this glorious thing shall be there the Son taketh up His abode along with the Father, and the grace of the Spirit frequenteth. For “where two or three are gathered together in My Name,” it says, “there am I in the midst of them.” ( Matt. xviii. 20 .) Now this is for great affection, and for those that are very intimate friends, to have those whom they love on either side of them. Who then, he means, is so wretched as not”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 9:11: If we have sown unto you spiritual things - If we have been the means of bringing you into a state of salvation by the Divine doctrines which we have preached unto you, is it too much for us to expect a temporal support then we give ourselves up entirely to this work? Every man who preaches the Gospel has a right to his own support and that of his family while thus employed.”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:10: As we have - opportunity - While it is the time of sowing let us sow the good seed; and let our love be, as the love of Christ is, free, manifested to all. Let us help all who need help according to the uttermost of our power; but let the first objects of our regards be those who are of the household of faith - the members of the Church of Christ, who form one family, of which Jesus Christ is the head. Those have the first claims on our attention, but all others have their claims also, and therefore we should do good unto all.”