When You Offer to Help

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.” 

1 Corinthians 3:10–13 

It isn’t always easy to offer a disabled or elderly person a little help—even when it’s obvious they could use it. It’s easier to walk by—to pretend you didn’t see. After all, what if you did something wrong? What if you created an offense? It’s also true, however, that it isn’t easy for the person needing assistance to ask for help. It’s not fun putting someone out.  

In both situations, it’s good to remember that any act of help done in the name of Jesus will be richly rewarded in eternity. The Apostle Paul speaks of “gold, silver, costly stones,” but that’s only a metaphor for something far more wonderful, valuable, and lovely that will shine throughout eternity. So when you help someone, you are rewarded. And when you ask for assistance, the one who gladly steps in to help will be rewarded. Either way, it’s a win-win. 

Lord Jesus, I’m so grateful for the way You have ordered our lives in this temporary world where we’re camping out. We live within the borders of time, but You have given us glimpses of our eternal home just over the horizon. We sometimes need help in these failing bodies of ours, but You crown those efforts with heavenly motivation.