CAREGIVER
Loving God By Loving Others
Character Traits
Caring for others is a prophetic activity. Self-centered creatures that we are, being concerned about others is an unnatural response and provides evidence of a supernatural touch by God.
The parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that attending to ‘spiritual concerns’ is no excuse for refusing to get our hands dirty.
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” 1 John 3:17
The writers of the NT leave us without any doubt as to the importance of loving God by loving those he made.
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10
“Pure and faultless’ religion is looking after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27
What Are Our Pitfalls?
Judging
Remember the lesson of Martha & Mary. Caregiving is not a license to judge others who serve God in different ways. True, all Christians are called to care for others, but there are different ways this obligation can be fulfilled, and it is not for us to judge the validity of someone else’s worship.
Serving Ourselves Through Serving Others
Some people with esteem problems feel a need to serve others for self-validation. When caregiving becomes an act of taking, an act of deception, it is done so others will love or need them in return.
Neglecting Those Closest to Us
In our zeal to love others, we must remember that God makes home the priority. See 1 Timothy 5:8 Don’t neglect your family while you save the world.
Suggestions for the Road
The caregiver temperament incorporates many different avenues of loving God through serving others:
Nursing sick people
Visiting the elderly
Volunteer rescue unit
Repairing a house
“adopting” a prisoner
Helping a friend through a personal crisis
Lending money
Help someone battle substance abuse
Helping an illiterate person learn to read
Donating time at a battered women’s shelter
Counseling at a pregnancy care center
Working in a soup kitchen
Fixing somebody’s car
Making recordings for the blind
Researching a cure for a disease
Helping somebody reconfigure their computer
Watching the children of some tired parents
Giving free cookies out on campus
Raking leaves of elderly
Providing free firewood for needy
Shovel snow
Remove trash from dorm rooms on your floor
Want to learn even more?
Explore all the different ways people can connect to God and discover the value of each and every path.