04.06.15 The 11th Key for Adding Value to Your Church

11. Be your Brother’s or Sister’s Keeper

I do recall the day a dear sister from our church shared how their house would flood whenever it rained since they lived in the middle of a swamp. All their efforts to seek help had not yielded fruit. My husband and I were so touched by their plight and promised ourselves that we would rent a house for them as soon as finances became available. And, when God opened a door, they shifted. My friend and her family now sleep soundly during stormy rainy nights. She is even looking more beautiful since she no longer has to worry about putting her belongings on the roof to dry each time it rains. In short, her family looks forward to the rainy season and the blessings it brings. Let me also add that her small business is growing by the day and she earns enough to pay their rent now; which, by the way, is much higher than what they used to pay for the house in the swamp.

Lydia showed that she was ‘her sisters’ keeper’, when two women ministers, Euodia and Syntyche, had chronic disagreements, a thing which could have stopped them from inheriting the kingdom of God. We read that in Galatians 5:19-21, which lists ‘contentions’ as one of the ‘works of the flesh’. Although the bible is silent about Lydia’s role in that saga, I wish to infer that she must have prompted Paul to intervene and reconcile the two women (Philippians 4:2-3).

A value-adding church member follows up on brethren within her reach to ensure their spiritual health amongst other things.

Therefore, God expects you to take the initiative to see that fellow church members stay on track. By doing so, you add value to God’s kingdom since He does not desire that anyone should perish (2 Peter 3:9).

Be ready to watch the behaviors of other church members without overstepping boundaries and to warn them should they be going astray. We take this from Hebrews 3:12-13 which says (NIV): ¹²See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. ¹³But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

If your efforts to assist a brother or sister falls on deaf ears, consider informing your pastor, an elder or any other member of your church leadership (Matthew 18:15-17) so that they take prompt action before it is too late.