What should be the social ministry of the Church? A definite answer
Social ministry in the Church has a solid gospel foundation. Who, if not the Church of Christ, can help the poor, the sick and the weak? The Savior himself, pointing out the criteria for separating the “sheep” from the “goats” for the future life of the former and the destruction of the latter, reminds us of the social service necessary for “the sheep of Christ’s flock” (Matt. 25: 31-46). So the question itself is, “Is it necessary for the Church to engage in social service?” gets an unambiguous answer – “yes, of course.”
Our Church, especially in recent years, is engaged in powerful social support of the poor and charity. And this is wonderful, this is faith with works. However, the church press describes all this in such detail and colorfully that, firstly, the impression of a kind of self-promotion or self-justification in front of unbelievers begins to be created: “We are not just like that, we are so useful!”
Secondly, the words of Christ are shortsightedly ignored that “your alms should be in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you openly ”(Matthew 6: 3). And thirdly, this press itself sometimes becomes uninteresting to read: instead of soul-saving advice, teachings, answers to acute questions, it presents “weekly” and “monthly” reports on “social work done”.
In a particular parish, the task of social service must be solved based on specific circumstances. But it is always necessary to remember about the main and special specific ministry of the Church – about spiritual nourishment. This is precisely the kind of service towards all those in need that they will not receive from anyone else.
Should we give money for “drunkenness” and should we talk about God with those in need !?
Church Social Service is not necessarily global programs. This is the ministry of each particular parish where people turn for help.
The church cannot be separated from people, from society. Although, to be honest, I do not quite and do not always understand what society is: there are specific people who are sometimes in great need, sometimes in pain, sometimes not very welcoming …
A conversation with someone who asks for help is always very necessary. It is necessary to find out what happened, what reasons brought the person to the temple, why he does not have the opportunity to solve his problem.
But even if I understand that this is another legend, I still am in no hurry to refuse. I just try to bring to the conversation, somehow convey that a lie, whatever it may be justified, always remains a lie. And if you also lie in the temple, it can lead to irreversible consequences in life.
Give your last, don’t talk about God
Should you talk to someone you are helping about faith? We must remember the parable of the good Samaritan. He did not talk about God with the victim lying on the ground. But the man who had been in the hands of the robbers received the answer that the help was not coming from those from whom it would seem logical to expect it. If they refuse, God sends support from where you do not expect at all.
You don’t even need to talk about God, God Himself is present in good deeds. I believe that our world is in such a difficult condition that anyone who does good, in one way or another reminds everyone of the existence of God. That He still exists in this world.
The most important thing is to understand that if a person came to the temple, it was the Lord who brought him, not otherwise. Maybe he has not entirely honest motivations, but we do not know through what, in what ways God leads him to salvation. Remember the story about the tax collector Peter, who threw a piece of bread at the beggar and, thanks to this, escaped hellish torments? But, by and large, he just threw bread. But the Lord accepted this as a sacrifice.
You can always see when someone comes to us for money to “get drunk”. You go, buy a bottle of mineral water, milk, then it causes aggression: no, you need money. If there is no way to help, you need to talk to a person, because situations can be very difficult.
There is a golden rule in life: if you try to help, the Lord will not give mountains of gold, but will give you the opportunity not to give up. Thank God, my children do not starve, although sometimes it seems that you seem to give up the last and will not be enough for anything. But it is important not to doubt God, to trust Him. For a Christian, this is a completely normal situation: to give and know that the Lord will not leave.
