I believe in hard work. I believe people should earn their way in life, that none of us should expect a free ride, for others to carry our burdens. I believe the truth of the saying I quoted yesterday, that we don’t get what we wish for, we get what we work for.
There are exceptions to this, of course. Many, through no fault of their own, find themselves in circumstances beyond their control. Sickness, divorce, downsizing, wars, and innumerable other reasons can leave any of us desperate, unable to work our way out, needing a hand up.
In these circumstances, we should, of course, do all we can to help these unfortunate ones. But what if they ended up where they were because of their own foolish mistakes? Drug addiction, unwise financial choices, lapses of judgment, all can lead to dire consequences. Why should we help people like that? After all they got themselves into the mess, shouldn’t they work themselves out?
Well, before you say “yes”, let me remind you of the words of Romans 3:23, which says, “…everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” We all are in the same boat. We all have messed up. We all need a hand up. We can work and do our best to get out of the mess we’ve made, but it will all be to no avail, because “no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands.” (v. 20)
There is only one way anyone can be saved. “People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” (v. 25). That includes you and the beggar on the street. We all need a helping hand, someone to lift us from the gutter.
So the next time you feel like looking down on another, remember God is looking down on you too. You are both the same in his sight, sinners in need of a Savior, and to each He says, “Here take my Hand. Let me lift you up.” Shouldn’t we do the same for our brothers?
God bless and have a wonderful day!