Using Secular Examples to Highlight God's Work in Community
God's work in community is evident through various actions and interactions, both within and outside of explicitly religious contexts. The Bible frequently highlights the importance of communal living and mutual support as reflections of divine principles. For instance, sharing with those in need and practicing hospitality are presented as essential aspects of Christian life [2]. This liberality is pleasing to God and is never forgotten by Him, with Christ himself serving as an example of such generosity [6].
The concept of "God's work" can encompass a broad range of activities. The name Elpaal, for example, literally means "God's work" [8]. The Psalms speak of God's "awesome work on behalf of the children of men," inviting observation of these deeds [3]. This divine activity is not limited to the spiritual realm but extends to the "busyness God gives to humans to preoccupy them," suggesting that even secular endeavors can be part of a larger divine plan [4].
Community is often a setting where God's work is made manifest. The early Christian community, for example, saw individuals like Barnabas held up as examples of generous giving to meet the needs of others [9]. This aligns with broader biblical exhortations to exercise compassion towards the afflicted, the chastened, enemies, the poor, the weak, and fellow saints [1]. Such actions are inseparable from love for God and are motivated by God's own compassion [1].
Even afflictions can be made beneficial, promoting the glory of God, exhibiting His power, teaching His will, and turning people back to Him [5]. This suggests that God can work through difficult circumstances to bring about positive outcomes within a community. The "Community Rule" of the Dead Sea Scrolls also emphasizes seeking God with a whole heart and soul, practicing truth, righteousness, and justice upon earth, and abstaining from evil, indicating a communal commitment to divine principles [7].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
- Romans “Romans 12:13 (BSB) — Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
- Psalms “Come, and see God’s deeds— awesome work on behalf of the children of men. -- Psalms 66:5”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 3:10 (LEB) — I have seen the busyness God gives to ⌞humans⌟ to preoccupy them.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberality — Pleasing to God -- 2Co 9:7; Heb 13:16. God never forgets -- Heb 6:10. Christ set an example of -- 2Co 8:9. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 112:9; Isa 32:8. Unprofitable, without love -- 1Co 13:3. Should be exercised In the service of God. -- Ex 35:21-29. Toward saints. -- Ro 12:13; Ga 6:10. Toward servants. -- De 15:12-14. Toward the poor. -- De 15:11; Isa 58:7. Toward strangers. -- Le 25:35. Toward enemies. -- Pr 25:21. Toward all men. -- Ga 6:10. In leading to those in want. -- Mt 5:42. In giving alms. -- Lu 12:33. In relieving the destitute. -- Isa 58:”
- Dead Sea Scrolls “Community Rule (Serekh ha-Yahad) (c. 100-75 BCE), section 1: THE COMMUNITY RULE Translated by G. Vermes 1QS COL.I . . . Book of the Community Rule, that they may seek 2. God with a whole heart and soul. and do good and right before Him as 3. He commanded by the hand of Moses and all His servants the Prophets; that they may love 4. all that He has chosen and hate all that he has rejected; that they may abstain from all evil and 5. hold fast to all good; that they may practise truth, righteousness, and justice 6. upon earth and no longer stubbornly follow a sinful heart and lustful eyes committi”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Elpaal — God's work”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 4:36: 4:36-37 Barnabas is held up as an example of generous, unselfish giving in response to the genuine needs in the Christian community.”