While I was unpacking our gear from my car from this weekend's Flea Market, I noticed that my wife had turned the television on and happened upon a new show by Oprah Winfrey called "The Big Give". From what I could gather, Oprah was giving each person money and they were to go out and help someone in need. I watched the show for about the first 20 minutes or so and made two observations:- People can be nice, genuinely care about people and help people out using finances to resolve temporary situations. People can be happy, shed tears and even feel "blessed".
- Most of the contestants were just going out to the streets and striking up conversations with people at random. For example, one of the contestants, Carlana, struck up a conversation with a stranger, got to know him for a few minutes and then told him that she was going to financially help him out.
First, let me say that I think this is awesome. I guess what it made think of is the "church". How often do we have our own "Big Gives" where we hand out clothes, serve food, give out 2-liters of soda, hand runners in local parks bottles of water, etc? We do many of these things and call them "evangelistic outreaches". But are they really? If we are giving goods and services and not giving the Gospel along with the material items, are we being evangelistic? I say no. If we do not share the Gospel with the people we are helping, we are no different than "The Big Give", Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc.
Second, we say that we cannot just go approach a total stranger on the street. Really? Most of these people did. If they will do it for Oprah can you approach a stranger and strike up a sane conversation with them for Christ? Of course you can! Simply trust in the power of the Holy Spirit to help you and be bold for Christ. See Acts 1:8.
Finally, we must, MUST help people out not only with material needs, but with the greatest need that people have and that is the need for reconciliation with their Creator. Let us go to those that we know and do not know personally and serve, give, but as we go, let us share the wonderful message of the cross.
