Loving our Enemies with Uncle Sam’s Help
May 9, 2008
Of the numerous items in the news today, two may have a strategic kingdom connection, namely, the printing of the economic stimulus checks and the continuing efforts to bring aid to the Myanmar cyclone victims. On the one hand, we have the most prosperous nation in the world giving it’s people more money. On the other hand, we have a nation whose average citizen makes 8% of what an average American makes in dire need. And indeed, for us to help those in Myanmar, which is 83% Buddhist, would be to love our enemies. Consider this report from Operation World [www.operationworld.org]:
“Officially Buddhism is no longer the state religion, but the military regime actively promotes it. Theoretically, there is freedom of religion, but because Christianity is strong among the restive ethnic minorities there is much discrimination against Christians. There have been many cases of enforced conversions to Buddhism and violence against rural Christians.”
It is not my place to tell you what to do with your economic stimulus check that is coming soon. But the juxtaposition of these two stories should cause us to step back and think. As those whose Lord died for us while we were his enemies, might God be calling us to use upcoming funds to love our enemies?
Consider this plea from Food for the Hungry, which has offices in Phoenix:
“With almost 200 staff and our Asia operations center in neighboring Bangladesh, our staff is there. This is the team who swiftly and expertly responded to Cyclone Sidr last November using decades of experience in disaster relief.
“We’re partnering with local agencies and are moving fast to help displaced families with food, clean water, emergency shelter and medical help. We need your help immediately. Lives are at stake. Please respond today to speed God’s care and tangible assistance to Myanmar.
“Your prayerful action and generosity will rush powerful and practical expressions of God’s love to people in desperate need.”
However God leads you to invest his money, please pray. Regarding humanitarian aid, pray that organizations who do not already have structures in place (as Food for the Hungry does) would be allowed into the country to help those in need. Regarding the gospel, pray that as those in Myanmar receive aid from Christian organizations that God would open their hearts to the greatest humanitarian mission in the history of the world: the free gift of eternal life through the death of God’s Son.
Praying and giving with you,
Pastor Chris
[To learn more about giving through Food for the Hungry, visit fh.org]