That Fish Concept. . .

"Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime"....

Between earning a degree in social work, and serving with a body that engages the world, I’ve heard that quote so many times that I have to remind myself that it's not actually a verse in the Bible. It's a great quote- demonstrating the effectiveness of development over charity. We base our engagement around this principle and I believe in it, but when we become too married to this concept, I think it can hurt us. More critically, it can enable us to hurt others. What if instead we said something like; "Look at your fish, see God's people. What is God asking you to do with your fish in this moment?" So often we jeopardize our obedience to God because of our attachments to man made philosophies and theories. It's an unarguable fact that the impact of securing employment, self-sufficiency, or education for a homeless person is more significant than feeding them a meal, or said "fish". Some people do neither. I believe that in certain instances, God is going to speak to us and ask us to serve in a multitude of ways. Our income level, social status, or title gives us no authority to judge the circumstances of those in need. The assumption that every person living on the street is not to be trusted with cash because of his or her likely addiction bothers me. Not only is this not the reality of every person in need, but even if it were, it's still not up to us to discern. Are we perfect stewards of all that God has given us? Does he withhold good things from his children? When we are compelled to give cheerfully, freely, with generous abandonment, we are doing so to serve Jesus. It's the whole concept of Matthew 25:36 "I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me". When our actions become a result of this scripture, suddenly our motive for serving aligns with the perfect love of Christ. Our judgment no longer impairs our view of people in need and the reason for their circumstances becomes irrelevant. God equips us not only to give, but to disciple, to empower, to walk alongside people in need as we build relationships with them. This should always be on the forefront of our hearts when we serve. But we also have to be in tune to the voice of God, ready to display immediate obedience when he is calling us to meet needs. You may only be able to offer a meal, when the “real” need is education, but in that moment, the desire of Jesus’ heart is to share a meal with you. When the love of God is in us, his desires become our own. Let’s keep teaching men to fish, and let’s give our fish away freely. He uses it all.