God Works, Urgent Needs, Fruitfulness

Good Morning,

Titus 3:14 (NKJV)
And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
Titus 3:14 (NIV)
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.
Titus 3:14 (NLT)
Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.
Genesis 4:9 (NIV)
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"
"I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?"

Okay, so maybe it seems a bit redundant to have three different translations of one verse here this morning. But they all sort of speak just a tiny bit differently while addressing exactly the same thing. So, I thought it wise to put them all here, thereby not overlooking anything that is meant by the verse. Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!! (Just kidding there!)

So then, ought we only to look to meeting the urgent needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ? Or, are we our "brother's keeper" to anyone who has an "urgent need" as we read in these words today? Who, exactly, is our brother or sister? Questions that I guess all of us need to address and answer in our own hearts and minds...with the help of the Holy Spirit to guide us in obtaining the correct answer.

The real question posed to us this day is: What good works are we maintaining, doing, devoting ourselves to, that would be in provision to and meeting urgent needs so as to NOT be unfruitful or unproductive? Are we looking after our brother/sister as we know we should by what we read in Genesis about Cain and Abel?

More pointedly: What do I do when I see someone by the side of the road, dirty, disheveled, with a sign asking for money? Do I look at him or her as a brother or sister? Do I even see this person as a human being? Does the thought of being "my brother's keeper" even enter my mind? Do I feel the need to try to provide even a tiny bit toward this person's urgent and immediate needs? Do my actions toward this unfortunate one help me in being productive and fruitful in the works of God toward His children?

And not just when I see a person with that sign, as that's simply a metaphor to what we're talking about here, I must also ask those same questions of myself about other needs I see that ought to be met in some way and how I can be truly fruitful and productive in my walk with the Lord.

No answers today from me. I've asked myself these questions and have answered them in my mind. Those answers are between me and God. I may or may not like what I answered. That's for me to deal with.

I want you to ask your self these same questions about maintaining good works, meeting urgent needs of people, and being fruitful for the Lord in your walk. I want you to be 100% honest with yourself...and with God...in your answers.

That's all. You'll know what to do from that point without any guidance or prompting from me or anyone else. God will tell you and you will hear that still, small voice in your heart and mind as to where you need to go and what you need to do.

Listen. Obey.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David