faith in action,..why do so many beleivers refuse to step up?

Question

i have seen many times a person suffering from
whatever ails them and reaching out,alot of christian respond with read your bible meditate get counseling etc....

what i am getting at ....is a truly compassionate person of God,
would know that to help someone overcome whatever their problem is
you need to address the root cause,and i believe as a ''cop out'' christians always want to say read your bible etc..
when in fact if they ''understood'' their bible it clearly states that.instead os making suggestions to the person suffering,you know what they need and simply provide it

i will give just 1 example to many= a run down single mom whos feeling overwhelmed and has no support,shes feeling depressed,scared etc.whatever,she reaches out to christian who respond by saying pray,or take some medicine

the bible clearly states (if properly interprted)that you see someones needs and help
why should this woman take medication,when what she really needs is simply a little love and m

a little love and pehaps someone to just sit with the baby awhile so she can get adequate rest

the point is people will know all that she really needs is a little compassion ,but because they cant be inconvenienced and want to look good like they care they tell a perfectly normal mother to have medcine when all she needs is rest and a baby sitter

its not just about mothers,i could give mmany examples of what i am referring to
but the true believers out there already know my point!!

Answer 1

Can we say a Amen to that!!!

Answer 2

You are right to a point. But you are really making assumptions that we don't help people within our communities -- I'm betting that a lot of Christians are doing the very things you exhort us to do. I know I can do more, and I'm trying!

And sometimes, through the discernment of the Holy Spirit, I can sense what a particular root cause of a person's problem is, but I wouldn't post it in my answer because I don't want to embarrass a person or make them feel bad.

As a counseling intern, I do sometimes suggest that a person get counseling, because I have seen the amazing renewal that can come about when a person simply has someone who will listen to them, and help them reframe their life picture. Other times, it is because in reading what the person wrote, it is apparent that there is a deep emotional problem that I can't solve from this distance...they need professional help right where they are. It is from a loving perspective that I advise this.

If people could/would/should(?) post where they lived, I could help them find resources and I would love to be able to do so. But in this mostly anonymous format, all we really can do is offer advice.

Finally, as much as some of us would love to do more to help some people who are needing it and asking questions on R&S, we also have to protect our own privacy and our families. That's just a sad fact of life these days.

Answer 3

You have a point---the passage you are referring to is in James, and talks about the difference between someone clothing & feeding someone vs blessing them and telling them to be warm and fed.
The government has tried to take over this role in some cases with welfare, public assistance, etc. and has placed restrictions on faith-based organizations. But no doubt that Christians often fall short in this area.
Are you familiar with the Christian contemporary group Casting Crowns? They have a song that sort of speaks to this topic--it is one of my favorite songs they do:

"If We are the Body"

Answer 4

For varying reasons such as spiritual immaturity, loving the world more and thus being selfish and insensitive to other peoples needs, because of not wanting to be labeled a Christian as weird as that may sound, because of fear, because of embarrassment and shame to be identified as one of God's own children when witnessing to people face to face in real life, or for the ones that do serve.....serve with the wrong motives whether in church or out outside of it.
They don't do it with a pure heart....more out of an obligation and duty and not out of love. Dont' like to be negative in this way towards my brothers and sisters but wanted to honestly answer your question. Peace.

Answer 5

as a christian we really need to be reaching out to the needy and as you so rightly said doing all we can to help them . First of all we need to show them love and support providing them with whatever we can, the rest will follow.We can always pray for all needy people thats when God gives us the oppurtunities to help them just as Jesus did.

Answer 6

I think sometimes we just can't see what is in front of us, by choice or not.
Other times we are afraid to get involved.
Some people are overwhelmed by their own lives, but I do agree that it does seem to often be the case as you state it above.
The problem really is that even though we have been forgiven of our sins, we are still sinners. We will all struggle with that until the day we die.
Thanks for the reminder. ; )

Answer 7

"Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat, what good is there in your saying to them, "God bless you! Keep warm and eat well" - if you dont give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no action, then it is dead.". James 2: 16, 17.

Answer 8

I know what you mean but I think most people would be glad to help if they only knew what to do. When I hear someone is having a hard time I usually ask what I can do to help and they usually say "Nothing."

Answer 9

It's a lot easier to 'talk the talk' than it is to actually stir themselves to help and reach out to people. There's a proverb I like: "Pray indeed, and then get to work."

Answer 10

faith without deeds is dead...

Jesus was about building relationships, not just spewing advice.

Answer 11

I think any religions should keep the distance from politics.