Social Justice and the Great Commission

I thought  this was a good article since our church is involved in reaching our community with a food pantry.

The Great Commission and Social Justice: 4 Questions to Ask Yourself

• by Elizabeth Russell
• November 15, 2013
• Ebooks

 

How can Christians apply social justice in their walk of faith? God calls us to help those less fortunate than ourselves:
“Defend the weak and the fatherless, uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3–4).
But is helping the poor solely with their earthly needs all we’re called to do? Christ also gave us The Great Commission—to go and make disciples of all nations. How do these two relate?
Here are four questions to consider:

1. What are your personal motives?

Truly examine your heart with this question. Why do you want to go on that mission trip? Why are you raising money for that organization? Is it to feel better about yourself? To boost your resume? To post about it via social media? Remember Matthew 6:3. Ask yourself, “If no one but God knew I was helping, would I still be doing this? Would I still be just as excited?

2. Are you helping meet peoples’ basic needs?

Sharing the gospel can eternally transform a life. Yet if we really want to impact people in their spiritual lives, we must first show them that we care about their physical lives. It’s comforting to know that my friend prays for me when I’m sick. But it’s more comforting when she drives me to the doctor or picks up my medicine at the drugstore. The same goes for helping others with both their spiritual and their tangible needs.

3. Are you developing relationships with those you’re helping?

Many Americans choose to raise and donate money for charitable organizations designed to help impoverished countries all over the globe. Or change their Facebook profile picture to “raise awareness.”  Good deed for the month: check.  While the motives behind these acts are likely good, challenge yourself to reach out on a relational level. Invite the family in your church where the husband just lost his job over for dinner.  Offer to watch the kids of a single mom in your neighborhood so she can have a day to herself—maybe send a meal home with her when she returns. Get to know those you’re helping on a personal level. Open up about your own struggles. Become friends. Take a look at Luke 14:12–13.

4. Is the gospel infused into your social action?

You’re three for three so far. You have a passion to pour out Christ’s love, you’re bringing food to the destitute.  You know their names, you visit them, and they’ve even been to your house. But have you actually followed The Great Commission? Have you communicated the message of Christ? Helping people with material needs but leaving out the good news of Christ does nothing to differentiate Christians from the rest of culture. It takes courage, but it’s an imperative part of a Christian’s mission.
The problem is that too often we keep social justice and The Great Commission separate.  We have social justice and The Great Commission neatly tucked away in their own boxes. Yet realistically, neither of those can fully function without the other. Social justice and The Great Commission are designed to work together.