Support Systems

Support Systems*

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. -Galatians 6:2 (KJV)

People recover from addiction due to their systems of support.  Rehab works on an impatient basis for many people because some of these same people do not have a solid and grounded support system in their families or environment. Therefore, many who try rehab on an outpatient basis find themselves relapsing more than recovering. People make changes where they have genuine systems of support to rely upon.

Don't go out of your way to share how much you do to help the man on the street. Save your breath about the mounds of spare pocket change that you offer the needy that hold cardboard signs that say: Will Work for Food. I do not say so because such things do not matter. I say so because the believer is to do such things no matter what. It is not exceptional to do good works. It is expected of us.

Go further in doing good. Don't just do good. Take it to a higher level. Develop relationships so that those you help are no longer considered that guy or the people who are always over there. Shift your perspective on helping by getting even closer to those who are in need of help. Start seeing things differently by seeing the people whom you help differently.

Look at Saint Francis, the patron saint who serves as the model for Franciscan monks.  He was a rich, talented and unruly young man.  He was so convicted following his own conversion that he renounced his family's wealth and lived in poverty.  He developed new relationships with the poor, the needy, and animals and plants.  He became more in tune with God's creation as a whole as he sacrificed and served like the Lord Himself.

Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.- Matthew 6:2-4 (ESV)

*This blog post was originally intended as an extended post or article.  After some deep and earnest prayer, I have opted to shorten the post into sections and create a series on building systems of support in our personal lives and in our businesses and/ or ministries.