Something has perplexed me for a while: I don't understand why a devout Christian would ever be motivated to do charitable works himself.
Why would someone who thinks the most capable being in the universe already knows about every need and is capable of meeting all of them ever see the need for them to step in themselves?
The Gospels record Jesus admonising his disciples for worrying about where their food or clothes would come from. He called them "ye of little faith" and told them to trust that God will provide.
... but doesn't this apply to the people around us, too? Why is it wrong to worry and think "what shall I eat" but not "what shall my neighbour eat"?
What motivates a Christian to perform acts of charity? What do you think you can do that God can't do on his own?
I realize that Christians engage in lots of charity work, but for the life of me I can't understand why. The things that motivate me to help others don't work in a theistic context, and the commands to trust in God to meet our needs don't seem to allow any other motivation I can think of.
So.... why do you do it?
Why would someone who thinks the most capable being in the universe already knows about every need and is capable of meeting all of them ever see the need for them to step in themselves?
The Gospels record Jesus admonising his disciples for worrying about where their food or clothes would come from. He called them "ye of little faith" and told them to trust that God will provide.
... but doesn't this apply to the people around us, too? Why is it wrong to worry and think "what shall I eat" but not "what shall my neighbour eat"?
What motivates a Christian to perform acts of charity? What do you think you can do that God can't do on his own?
I realize that Christians engage in lots of charity work, but for the life of me I can't understand why. The things that motivate me to help others don't work in a theistic context, and the commands to trust in God to meet our needs don't seem to allow any other motivation I can think of.
So.... why do you do it?