The Power of Your Presence

In Articles, Generosity, Life Issues, Mission, Money, Spiritual Growth by Kirk Giles

Your Life is More Than a Financial Contribution

All around you there are incredible needs. In your community there are children growing up without a dad, in desperate need of a man to be a father figure. We live in an aging society where an increasing number of women will become widows — women who could use the help and encouragement of godly men. Human sex trafficking is victimizing people across Canada, and we need men to speak up for justice and liberation. And this is merely a sample of the brokenness around us.

I will be the first to admit that the needs of the world can feel so overwhelming, it is easy to become numb to it all. Our lives are already so busy and complicated — how are we supposed to know what to do, and who has the time to do anything? Sometimes making a donation feels like all we can do.

God calls His people to do so much more. In Isaiah 1:17 we are commanded — “Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.” This is one of many verses in Scripture that call us to pay close attention in meeting the needs of others.

Why should we do this? Because as image bearers of God, we are reflecting to others what He is like. In Psalm 68:5-6 we read: “God in his holy dwelling is a father of the fatherless and a champion of widows. God provides homes for those who are deserted. He leads out the prisoners to prosperity …”

While the needs can be overwhelming to us, they are not overwhelming to God. We don’t need to feel the pressure to meet all the needs — we simply need to identify the role God wants us to play. One of the great joys in being part of the Body of Christ is that He will meet these needs through all of us as we fulfill our part in the Body.

Your life is more than a financial contribution. When you consider what the Bible teaches us about meeting the needs of the world, please know that your presence is talked about more often than your bank account (although both are important). When God met us in our deepest need, He did not just give us money to get out of our pain. He sent His Son to dwell amongst us. Let’s be men who follow His lead and give the hurting and broken our presence.

About
Kirk Giles
Kirk Giles is the co-lead pastor of Forward Church in Cambridge, ON. He was formerly the President of Impactus (when it was known as Promise Keepers Canada). However, his most important roles as a man are husband to Shannon and father to Carter, Joshua, Sydney and Samuel. He is also the author of The Seasons of Fatherhood.
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Kirk Giles
Kirk Giles is the co-lead pastor of Forward Church in Cambridge, ON. He was formerly the President of Impactus (when it was known as Promise Keepers Canada). However, his most important roles as a man are husband to Shannon and father to Carter, Joshua, Sydney and Samuel. He is also the author of The Seasons of Fatherhood.