Support the Weak

The People of God Set Priorities
Bearing One Another's Burdens
Consolation Granted through Prayer

Acts 20:28-35 The Message

²⁸ “Now it’s up to you. Be on your toes—both for yourselves and your congregation of sheep. The Holy Spirit has put you in charge of these people—God’s people they are—to guard and protect them. God himself thought they were worth dying for.
^29-31 “I know that as soon as I’m gone, vicious wolves are going to show up and rip into this flock, men from your very own ranks twisting words so as to seduce disciples into following them instead of Jesus. So stay awake and keep up your guard. Remember those three years I kept at it with you, never letting up, pouring my heart out with you, one after another.
³² “Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.
^33-35 “I’ve never, as you so well know, had any taste for wealth or fashion. With these bare hands I took care of my own basic needs and those who worked with me. In everything I’ve done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’”

For Reflection

Nowhere more explicitly stated is our commission to be the stewards of each other, the sheep looking after the sheep.  Our work in Christ is on behalf of the weak, of those most vulnerable, of those who live lives in constant fear, of those who's reliance on self has failed them, of those who are the victims of life's cruel circumstances.  Our life's work is to care for each other, both those outside of our fellowship and those who live within the fellowship of the Spirit.

Pray

Kneel before God.  Pray prayers of confession, repentance, obedience, praise and thanksgiving.  Pray to serve God by being the harbinger of hope living in grace.