Helping Hands

It is normal as human beings and especially as Christian brothers and sisters to lend helping hands to one another wherever and whenever the need arises. Within my capacity, I desire to help in whatever way I can to whoever is appropriate to help. For I definitely cannot the devil, but definitely must help the saints.

As usual, a sister and her husband used to come to me every year to help them in filing their income tax through which she also got her TDS back as incentives. I learned to do this for myself when my own CA charged me a hefty amount for a simple filing many years ago. Since then I decided to learn and do filing myself. In fact, I have been filing my own income tax for myself. Now what I have learned has become useful even to other saints. 

Last week, a brother applied for a Taiwan visa but his income tax need to be filed urgently. Out of urgency, I was graced to help him out which enabled him to get his visa. Later, a received calls from two more brothers. I readily helped them out too. But their documents were not complete and certain banking and government matters were not updated. Therefore, it took me hours and hours of my time. In the process, I "waste" my time on them. Yet I also helped them to keep all their banking details, and government documents updated and handy. Meanwhile, a brother also learned how to file income tax for himself. In this way, I was able to lend a helping hand to the brothers in need.

Yes, there definitely was the paying the price of my time. But I was glad that I could help. In a similar manner, I should help needy people more, physically and spiritually.  The more I can help the better. This is also a way of shepherding people in a way of cherishing that one day they can as well be nourished and be saved, and also brought into the church life.

Yet on the flip side, I declined to help an unknown person with his work who requested my help through a gospel friend that I used to help for publishing at least four books. In this case, I felt the person was simply trying to use me. Besides, I was not very peaceful to help him which he could easily do it using a professional instead. I directed him to go get his job done with the professionals. I felt helping that person would be stretching beyond my function and I must also uphold the integrity of the office the Lord has placed me in. So in this case, I peacefully and gently declined. I discerned that it was not proper to help him at all. Moreover, the work can be done easily by paying some price to the professionals who are into publication.

Yes, I extend my helping hands, but not to where I should not and do not have peace from the Lord. My helping hands are within the limit of God's grace. 

Help hands where the Lord leads and not blindly.