#15. Practice Reaching Out by Starting With the Poor.

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In beginning your efforts to care for the Lost your main need to is gain confidence. It only makes sense that you start with those who are the most responsive. The most responsive are those in the greatest need. Begin your journey by going after the Poor.

Bring them bags of groceries. You don’t need to fix all that ails them. Provide them with bags of groceries, words of encouragement and simple prayer. You can do with the knowledge you have now. Avoid making promises other than what you can do right on the spot. No money. No rides. You are there that day, at that time to bring God’s mercy.

Offer prayer. You don’t need to pray at an expert level. The prayer you pray will be just fine. If you feel inadequate, know this: you will receive power when you open your mouth in their presence. God will show up in faithfulness no matter how you pray. Don’t forget, he is the one accomplishing the work, not you.

Don’t offer to drive the Poor. It is likely someone is going to ask you for a ride. You are not there to taxi people about. You are a food deliverer and a prayer provider. Maybe someone else who has a ministry of driving will show up at some point to drive people, but that someone is not you. You can’t do everything. You can only do your part. Don’t let the fact that you can’t do everything stop you from doing what you are called to do—the simple God has drafted you into. Remember, he has called you to do something pretty simple and straightforward. Keep it simple focused. Don’t deviate from that. You will do well at that.

Don’t try to get the Poor to come to church with you. While church attendance may sound like a worthy goal it is probably best to attempt to enroll them in a church that is near them. Your church, which is probably a distance from them, is likely even further from them socially. Encourage them to connect with those who are closer to them at all levels. Resist the attempt to be the one and only hope who is going to make all the difference in their life. Obey God in the task he is calling you to. Don’t fall into a codependent relationship of meeting all their needs.

#16

Steve has spoken, mentored and modeled to churches and leaders around the world with the simple message that anyone – regardless of their gifting or experience – can be involved in bringing God’s loving kindness to others. His first book, Conspiracy of Kindness has been translated into several languages with more in the works. His first book has sold over 300,000 copies. Altogether his books have sold over 500,000 copies.

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