About 20 years ago I used to visit a hamburger cart that was very close to my house. Almost always, a couple of young men who lived under a bridge would come by asking for money, perhaps to buy drugs. Rather than contribute to their vice, I decided to treat them to lunch. I felt like a great person. What’s more, I even conditioned my help on them hearing the gospel, and they did!
What is the problem with my story? The same as with the stories of many well-intentioned Christians: we tend to have a short perspective on mercy. Not only with respect to its scope, but also with respect to what really It means caring for the needy.
That’s why I thank God for resources like mercy ministriesby Tim Keller, which examine what the Bible says about helping others and help us get started.
mercy ministries
Timothy Keller
mercy ministries
Timothy Keller
Poiema Publications. 281pp.
Poiema Publications. 281pp.
An ancient story, a truth for today
Keller begins the book by reminding us of the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), giving it a twist that at least I had never considered. Although we usually associate this teaching with the popular saying: “do good, regardless of whom”, and we even use the term “good Samaritan” to talk about someone who does something good for another person, Keller shows us that the parable has a meaning deeper.
According to the author, this story tries mainly to show our absolute inability to fulfill the law of love, making us see our sin.
“Jesus is not telling us that we can be saved by imitating the Good Samaritan, although he is clearly charging us to follow his example. Rather, he is seeking to humble us with the love that God demands, so that we are willing to receive the love that God offers” (p. 6).
Theory and practice
It is difficult to find resources that are not limited on the one hand to theory or on the other to practice. If we talk about theory, we find it difficult to apply the principles in real life; if the resource is totally practical, we tend to use it as a manual for any scenario.
Fortunately, mercy ministries is itself a book that lays out essential concepts while showing us how they are applied, even offering practical steps that will help us establish mercy ministries in our own homes and churches as soon as possible.
“Mercy has an impact. Melt hearts. Eliminate objections. It makes even those who are most reluctant to the gospel recognize and respect it. Our good works glorify God before the world” (p. 76).
In fact, the resource is divided into two large parts: the first dedicated to the biblical principles that give meaning to mercy, and the second to how to implement functional programs that allow us to fulfill the responsibility of expanding the Kingdom through the ministries of mercy.
the real motivation
Throughout the book, Keller reminds us that mercy will not work when we try to do works merely to try to fulfill the law. The only true and lasting motivation for mercy ministry is an experience and understanding of God’s grace in the gospel. If we recognize that we are sinners saved by grace alone, we will be generous to the marginalized and wretched.
“A Christian who truly understands grace should not dismiss a person in need because he deems them ‘unworthy.’ God’s mercy was not based on merit; he gave it to us precisely to make us worthy. So we should not limit ourselves to giving mercy exclusively to those who meet some standard of dignity” (p. 32).
When we do works of mercy, we are not only meeting needs, but we are also showing the world a glimpse of the kingdom that Jesus will bring when he returns for his Church.
“Our ministry is not just a way to validate our preaching; our ministry must be motivated by compassion. When we move out of compassion to meet a need (as the Samaritan did in Luke 10:33), even without miraculous power, we demonstrate the renewing power of the Kingdom” (p. 58).
The only true and lasting motivation for mercy ministry is an experience and understanding of God’s grace in the gospel.
Let’s do it
Organizing efforts, individually or as a church, to start a mercy ministry is not an easy thing. It involves managing people, skills, gifts, money, time, and scope, among many other things.
mercy ministries does not leave us in doubt. With grace and agility, Keller shows us detailed outlines and plans so that we can begin these ministries as soon as possible.
Today, my way of approaching those children who asked me for money would be different. I would definitely offer to feed them again, but I would look for more organized ways to involve other members of my congregation to help them holistically. My desire would be to offer you a help that not only calms the hunger in your body, but also transforms your heart.
I urge you to study this book in your local church. The ministry of mercy is not optional for the believer, but must be born from hearts that have received the greatest of mercies. We, being poor, foreigners and enemies of God, were rehabilitated, reconciled, and adopted as part of the family of Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:19-22). Let’s go out and show this truth to the world with our words and our deeds!