The Blessings Jesus Taught

I've seen it time and again, people who just can't allow themselves to be helped by someone else. If good help is available for us in a certain venue of need, whatever it may be; if we cannot receive that help from someone else then we cannot receive it from God. It is that simple. There is a false show of humility that some folks just won't let go of, that is in reality a spirit of pride that just doesn't want someone else to feel like they've helped them. We should seriously consider the pure and simplistic words of Jesus on the matter: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mat. 5:3). Being poor in spirit means that we know that we are in need, and we know how to "cast [our] care on [Jesus]," knowing that "he cares for [us]" (I Pet. 5:7). When we cast our cares on the Lord, we should be open to however and sometimes through whomever he may want to take care of our matters. But sadly there are plenty of folks who think that they should just "tough it out" on their own if an answer doesn't swiftly come from heaven. Some people have been so conditioned by the burdens of this life that they have gotten accustomed to carrying, that they are just bound and determined to continue carrying those burdens themselves. To this Jesus also said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Mat. 11:28). But it doesn't necessarily always stop at Jesus himself. He loves instrumentality and he loves to use his people to help his people, and often times he even uses those who are not his people to help his people. The apostle Paul admonished us in this matter as well: "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Philip. 2:4). And to that he added the following: "That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another" (I Cor. 12:25). And to keep the ball rolling, he also said this: "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2). When we don't allow someone to help us with legitimate help that we are in need of, we displease God, who is the one behind that help. We also deprive whoever is trying to help, because there is great joy in doing for others, as well there should be, considering the following words of Jesus: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets" (Mat. 7:12).

The apostle Paul was one of, if not the greatest man of God in the history of the world; yet he knew when and how to allow others to help him, and why as well: "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity... Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate [send help] with my affliction. Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no [congregation] communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound TO YOUR ACCOUNT. But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God" (Philip. 4:10,14-18). Had he not been willing to accept this help from the Philippians, Paul would have clearly been depriving both himself and God's people of a needed and great blessing, which would have been displeasing to God across the board. I am thankful for the times I have been able and willing to reach out to God's people for help when faced with things above my capacities on my own. The truly grieving part is that it has never been reciprocated by the same folks that I've allowed to help me, who later could have used my help, but declined. I am around people on a regular basis who I could be of much help to in many ways, who choose to go it on their own with no chance whatsoever of true success in their circumstance. How can I say such a thing and know what I'm talking about? By the Spirit of God's love and truth that guides me continually, and has done so for many years progressively. The same Spirit in fact which is mentioned in the following passage: "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30). Amen.