Recently, one well-known evangelist stated that Christian mission is only to win souls, and there is no need to get involved in community development, social work or empowering people. Sadly, he has neither understood the gospel nor the mission. Paul writes that the Bible makes a person complete and equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:17) First, the person becomes mature, complete, and second, equipped to do every good work. Church history is full of examples of such great heroes of faith.
Model of the Lord: The Lord Jesus Christ’s ministry on the earth was holistic, embracing the body, soul and spirit of a man. He forgave sinners, opened the eyes of the blind, cleansed the lepers, raised the dead, reoriented the lives of sinners, taught them the truth, and called them to serve like the Good Samaritan.
Jerusalem Church: Right after the Day of Pentecost, the Church began to grow, multiply, and spread. The mature, complete, and equipped believers started serving the widows. Of course, there were administrative issues in the daily ministry to widows, yet there was community work for the upliftment of the widows. (Acts 6:1)
Joppa church: Tabitha was a devout follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. She did a lot of good work, loving deeds that helped the poor, widows and marginalized. With her skills, she could make tunics, robes, sweaters, and garments for needy widows and the poor. Thus, she provided them with warmth and dignity. Probably, she was rich and was a good steward of God-given resources. The clothes she gave away were expensive as they had to be hand-knitted, and hard work. It is also possible that she gave leather coats, as the translation of the word for outer coat means.
True spirituality: Apostle James emphasised that the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is demonstrated by two things: First, is taking care of widows and orphans, which means powerless, vulnerable, poor, marginalized and mocked. Second, lead a holy life untainted by the corruption of the world. (James 1:27)
Am I involved in good work that demonstrates the gospel?