June 03, 2021: SOAP #4200:  Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

OBSERVATION: This verse gives some guidelines to be considered when we have opportunity to help our neighbor. Our help should be done for their good and to build them up.

God uses us to help our neighbor. As our hearts are open to Him, He speaks to us, makes us aware of a need, and tells us what we can do to help.  If He tells us to give, we should give joyfully and generously.  If He tells us to pray, we should pray faithfully.  If He tells to give encouragement, we should give encouragement from the scriptures and from the Holy Spirit. 

But when people spend more time to get help from man than they do to get help from the Lord…  when that happens, they are putting man in the place of God.  If they know that God has given them a ministry, they can have faith that God will provide.  With no grocery stores within miles, God provided bread for the Israelites for 40 years.  God is a better provider than any man could ever be. 

APPLICATION:  I do not want people to become dependent on me and my help, but on God and His help. Along with any help I give, I need to explain how to trust God, I need to give an example of trusting God, and I need to encourage them to trust God.  If I can help people to trust God, then I am helping them “for their good and to build them up.”

PRAYER: Lord, use me for your glory and for the good of others. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!