LOVE, KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY – FOR 2000 YEARS NOW

Right from the very beginning, Christianity and Christians were identified as a people of LOVE, FORGIVENESS, KINDNESS and GENEROSITY. It came to be so, because, they saw the Christians, as people who THINK, SPEAK and BEHAVE differently, from the rest of the world, around them.

The Bible records, in Romans 15:24-27, probably for the first time, how two new, small and extremely poor congregations at, Macedonia and Achaia, part of modern-day Greece, have generously give for the needs of the poor Christians at Jerusalem.
– “24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.” – Romans 15:24-27

The early Christians at Macedonia and Achaia, took upon themselves, the needs of the Christians at Jerusalem, because of our bond and brotherhood in Christ, our Messiah. Marcianus Aristides, a converted philosopher from Athens, around 125 AD, writes in APOLOGY, which gives us valuable insights into, how the early Christians from the west, were kind and generous, towards those in need.
– “Whenever one of their number who was poor passes from the world, each one of them according to his ability contributes to his burial. And if they hear that one of their number is imprisoned or afflicted on account of the name of their Messiah, all of them anxiously minister to his necessity, and if it is possible to redeem him they set him free. If there is among them any that is poor and needy, and they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to have food which they can supply to the needy one.”

Even today, 2000 plus years latter, it is still the Christians from the west, who are top most, in giving, for the needs of the poor, in other parts of the world. Despite all the dark shades in the history of the Church in the west, they haven’t stopped giving men, money and material, for the blessing of the poor and the needy.

We should also note that, they do so, not because they have loads of free cash, not knowing what to do with it. They have a heart, that cares for the poor and the needy, and they wish to do something meaningful about it. They are loving, kind and generous in their hearts, despite their personal needs, and the difficulties and struggles in their own lives, and in their societies. This is commendable! The Christians from the rest of the world, should learn from these dear brothers and sisters. 
– “35…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” – Acts 20:35b
Would we?