by Monie Sosh

Created on: May 21, 2008

In today's world we categorize everything. We like everything nice and tidy, positioned in its own cub-by hole, not so we will know where it is, but to better define, in our own minds, who is supposed to deal with it, without twinging our own conscience, of course.

Most usually, we reason it is someone else's problem so it lays there in its place, collecting dust or growing bigger, or in some cases, sadly enough, dying. Then we shake our heads in pity and say, "What a shame. Someone should have done something about that."

Thankfully, there are volunteers and organizations doing "something about that" all around us, but there is enough work, enough needs, to go around. We can all do something. A lot of the organizations that do try to fill community needs are limited by the funding they receive.

You may say that you cannot get out there and do the things these volunteers or agencies do but if you genuinely care, you can find something to do to help. Perhaps you can join a church group that is working on a project for the community. All you may be able to do is make phone calls but that is an important part of the project and it frees up someone that may be able to do the things you can't.

Most churches support a missionary work. There is nothing that says that mission could not be to help your neighbor or your community. Jesus took care of the physical needs before He even addressed the spiritual needs. It opened the door for Him to talk to them about their spiritual welfare and future.

To be fair, a lot of people do not know about their communities agencies or volunteer programs and do not have a clue how to get involved. We need to reach out to each other and build a bridge of support for those most in need. Watch the paper for pleas for help from area agencies. Sometimes local papers will run a blurb for them, free of charge to help their cause. Agencies need to break through that invisible barrier that says churches have enough needs to meet without taking on ours. The same people that go to those churches are the same people that are your customers or clients. They are not part of a different world.

Partnerships are what it takes to fulfill the needs of a community, no one can do it alone. We need to stop depending on the government to 'fix' everything and do some mending of our own.

The Bible states that the church is to address the needs of the widows and orphans. No where does it say that it is 'Caesar's' job. Businesses reap the harvest from their community so they should sow some of the seed back into the field. No one wins when we hoard our blessings to ourselves. After all, isn't it better to give than receive?

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