Charity

All around us, there are people who are in need. We can be challenged to recognize that God has placed us in this world and calls us to take our eyes off ourselves, to look to Him, and see others through His eyes. Who knows what sort of interaction we might have today that will produce fruit in the lives of another? God knows, and He is so faithful to arrange divine encounters for us. Philippians 2 (ESV) states:

¹ So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.'

This week, I want to relate some snapshots of my wife and my recent vacation to London. Certainly, since it was our first visit, we took in a number of the major sites in the City, and I was blessed to have a personal tour guide, my Beth, who has studied British history extensively and was so very knowledgeable when she and I visited places like Westminster Abbey and Windsor Castle, including St. George’s Chapel.

She was also a tremendous resource when it came to packing for the weather - right now, our British friends are coming off what is to them a “heat wave,” with temperatures soaring into the 100’s - which is quite inconvenient for a society in which air conditioning is not always ever-present, to see the least.

When we were there - didn’t need it. We experienced a variety of weather conditions: a variety of temperatures from the 40’s to the 70’s. Sun, clouds, rain, and even hail. Our wardrobe was mainly long sleeves and jeans. If you saw my picture with Ben Virgo of Christian Heritage or the Open-Air Mission guys, that was the standard attire for me. But, it wasn’t enough when facing temperatures in the 40’s, anticipated wind, and rain.

So, we visited what is called a “charity shop.” On this side of the pond, it’s called a thrift store. I wanted a hoodie!! I’ll tell you, shopping for used goods is something that we have done for years. We walked in and discovered that this was a store that benefited a number of charities. And, right there in a London neighborhood, I heard Christian music, so I asked the shopkeeper about it. We had a wonderful discussion about ministry, and he, Beth, and I had a wonderful time of prayer as we prayed for one another - right there in a thrift store halfway around the world.

I think this is a demonstration of the old adage that you never know who you might meet. Sure, you think of the U.K. as being post-Christian, and I believe that’s true, but I also submit that God has His people everywhere. Changing the world, beginning in our communities.

That reminds me of Ben Virgo’s introduction as he began our Christian Heritage tour - we started outside St. Paul’s Cathedral and he told us that the tour - on a beautiful sunny day on the vibrant streets of London - was not about buildings, but about people who changed the world for Christ: John Wycliffe, John Wesley, William Tyndale, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, John Newton, William Wilberforce.

God has His people - literally everywhere. Potential world-changers, endowed with power from on high to love those with whom we interact. I trust God will answer the prayers spoken in that charity shop in London that day.

I came across a piece on Premier Christianity that featured a Q&A with a charity bookshop manager. She said this:

I love books, but what makes my job special is the human connection they create. I see two layers of creativity: the books – exploring subjects I’ve never heard of – and the personal histories within them, from notes in the margins, love letters, photographs, even hate letters. In a busy city like London, my work reminds me that everyone is created in God’s image and has a unique story.

I see God’s provision all the time. The only guarantee in my shop is me showing up. Everything else – our stock, volunteers and customers – depends on the generosity and enthusiasm of others. We raise tens of thousands of pounds to help create a fairer world. Every now and then, while I’m counting up the money at the end of the day, I pray over it, because it’s such a blessing.

In my role, I see the heights of human generosity. It’s also striking how often people come in asking for Bibles.

Each day, we can consider how God might be calling us to interact with others. I think about the Good Samaritan - in the parable of Jesus, you had two people walk on by, but one stopped to care for another man who had been wounded. That’s a 33% success rate. But, thank God for the one!

You can be that one - you can demonstrate generosity. You can take what you have and pass it along in the name of the Lord. I won’t forget the encounter in the charity shop in London and the powerful prayer time we had together. Perhaps even today, God will direct you to pray for somebody.

And, by the way, the whole concept of thrift stores or charity shops, as well as consignment stores, is to share what you no longer need so that someone can acquire it at a used price. I also contend buying used can be a stewardship issue - we’ve been doing it for years. And, those thrift stores devoted to benefiting ministries provide an extra added bonus of providing needed funding for the continued work of God’s Kingdom.

That reminds me of Faith Radio’s vehicle donation program, which we have used personally. It’s a simple process: you donate a vehicle you no longer need, it is sold, and the proceeds go to support our ministry. You also receive a tax deduction! And, the program is now available for land. Please check it out in the “GIVE” section of FaithRadio.org.