SUPPORT THE WEAK! 

The Apostle Paul in his exaltation to the church in Ephesus, wrote saying in Acts 20: 35, In all this I have given you an example that by such work we must support the weak, remembering the word of the Lord Jesus, for he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” By Paul’s statement, he himself had given to the work of God by supporting the weak more than he had received resulting from which he had been blessed as the Lord Jesus said. He was therefore encouraging the church to emulate his example. 

What does support the weak mean?

Paul suggests that supporting the weak includes giving. Supporting the weak is not receiving unto ourselves. God blesses the giver more than the receiver. According to Paul, there is a rationale for supporting the weak. Romans 12: 5 says, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. Just as the natural body has weaker members in the same body, so is the body of Christ. In supporting the weak, we support ourselves as one body in Christ Jesus. 

Supporting the weak is not limited to only members of the church, but all with needs. Jesus said in John 10: 16, I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. Scripture enjoins us to cast wide our support, benevolence, care and compassion to all shades of weakness. Jesus said in Luke 6: 33-34 if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

Supporting the weak must not be done grudgingly. 1 Peter 4:9 says be hospitable to one another without complaining. If we do not complain when we spend on ourselves, we must not complain when we do so on others because we are one body in Christ Jesus. Supporting the weak must also be done gracefully. Romans 12: 10 says love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. It is an honour unto ourselves to reflect in the lives of the weak whom we support. 

What support can we give?

Scripture has spoken of three categories of support, emotional, physical and spiritual support. 

Emotional and psychological support

Paul wrote in Romans 12: 16-18, live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Many need true love, emotional support, and inner peace to heal from their chaotic lives. The solution lies in affection, not haughtiness or exploitation. Romans 16: 16 says greet one another with a holy kiss.

We need Jesus to take charge. Romans 15: 5-7 say, may the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony and one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Through Christ Jesus, we can support the weak. Paul wrote in Philippians 4: 13, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Physical, material and social support

Material support is also critical to support the weak. The destitute, hungry, homeless, and social trodden are detracted from God. It is our duty to provide them with healing because of Christ Jesus. 1Corinthians 12: 25 says there may be no dissension within the body (of Christ), but the members may have the same care for one another. The body of Christ is first, the believers; and second, his sheep he seeks to bring back to the fold. We must extend the same care to all. Discrimination causes dissension and hatred. 

Not every weakness is self-inflicted but for God’s glory to manifest. In John 9: 2-3 his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. May we not treat the weak as sinful or enable them to compete with us. Galatians 5: 26 says let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another. We are in competition only to love. Romans 13: 8 says owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.  

Scripture says in Galatians 6: 2, bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. The burdens of the weak may have many shades and some manifest in the physical. 1Thessalonians 5: 11 says therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing. We encourage and build up one another especially the weak by showing tangible support. 1Thessalonians 5: 15 says always seek to do good to one another and to all. Jesus said in Luke 3: 11 he who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise. Do we support the weak?

Spiritual and divine support

God does not want any of us to perish. James 5: 20 says you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. We must support the weak to be saved. Luke 19: 10 says for the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.” Paul sacrificed his life to support the weak. He said in Romans 8: 36-37 as it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.   

We read from James 5: 16, therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. We must be trusted enough for the weak to confess their weaknesses to us for advice and prayer support. Our utmost duty is to support the weak spiritually. Paul said in 1Timothy 2: 1, first of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone. Our spiritual support is through Christ Jesus. Hebrews 7: 25 says consequently he (Jesus) is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 

We must also exhort the weak for Hebrews 3: 13 says, but exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. It is written in Hebrews 10: 25-26, let us consider how to provoke one another… not neglecting to meet together, as it is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. On the final day, will we be counted worthy as having supported the weak?

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, be our strength and enable us by your Holy Spirit to support the weak to fulfill your word knowing that in doing so, we support our own selves. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!

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