Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. - Colossians 3:17

A journalism professor disguised himself as a homeless person and spent a few nights on the streets of a large city. He reported that the shelters provided him with sandwiches and soft drinks, but that nobody - not even at a church-run shelter - offered a word of spiritual counsel.

Columnist William Raspberry says that when the church fails to offer spiritual help, it is "playing away from its strength." It's like a 7-foot basketball player who attempts long jumpshots, or when he's near the basket keeps bringing the ball down to chest level before shooting. Coaches refer to a tall player who wastes his height advantage as "a big man playing small."

We are like that basketball player when we focus solely on meeting physical needs but fail to give out the life-transforming salvation message that God has entrusted to us. It's commendable to be kind and generous in providing for others. But if we fail to point them to the answer for their deepest need, if we do not introduce them to Jesus Christ, we are "playing away from our strength." We are doing what any unbeliever could do, and not doing what only we can do. We are like salt that has lost its saltiness (Matthew 5:13), like a light hidden under a basket (vv.14-16), like "a big man playing small."

-HVL

Thinking It Over
How can acts of compassion open doors to witness?
Do others think of you not only as a nice person,
but also as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Good deeds are no substitute for the good news.