Give
Just before God made Eve for Adam, He said in Gen.2:18, “It is not good that the man should be alone.” This is more than a marriage relationship principle. This is a principle of life. We (men...mankind) are not meant to be alone. We are built for community. Starting with the family unit on to job groups, social clubs, political organizations, service groups, classmates, and on and on. Wherever we turn, we are part of yet another community. Even online any given person might be part of a dozen groups or pages or networks etc.
So why do so many Christians insist that they can do it alone? They think, “I don’t have to go to church to have a faith in God.” That may be true but how useful or impactful is your faith or walk with God if you do not engage with other Believers?
We need mature, grounded, seasoned Believers in Jesus to teach us the deeper truths of God. By interacting with them (especially through acts of service) they can see what spiritual gifts God has given us. They can encourage us to develop them. And guide us and also help us avoid disappointments and pitfalls along the way.
In community we get blessed and we have outlets to be a blessing as well. In community we learn how to humbly receive when we have a need and we learn how to graciously give when we have plenty. In the community we lean on and invest in each other. You learn to give freely while you can because there may be a day when you, too, need help.
In community our gifts can be used, groomed, and developed for the benefit of the greater good. 1 Cor. 12 talks about many gifts and talents but one Body. This is an illustration of our individuality being expressed and integrated and utilized for the sake of the one Body a.k.a. the church or the family of God at large.
Finally consider a charcoal pit that has been burning for a long time. The briquettes are light gray and glowing red. Using tongs, grab a briquette from the hottest part of the pile. Move it to the outer edge away from the pile. Eventually, it cools down and loses its fire and usefulness. So it is with Christians who think they don’t need church or fellowship.
