I used to go faithfully to meetings of a community association even though I often felt worse afterwards. Why? Because much of the meeting was spent listening to people gripe about various things. I suppose it’s human nature to complain (just look at all the complaining that goes on in the Bible), but what really bugged me was that people rarely volunteered to help solve the problem they were griping about. Ever experienced that? It’s not a new situation.

I found this in the “Saying of the Fathers,” a collection of sayings of fourth century monks who lived in the Egyptian desert:

“An old man said: ‘All this talking is unnecessary. Nowadays everyone talks: and what is needed is action. That’s what God wants, not useless talking.’”

Absolutely right! I have read too many statements about how Christians should respect the poor and try to alleviate their situation. Enough talking! Lets actually do something help the poor. I am a supporter of  ELCA World Hunger because it gets food to people in need. I’ve been an advocate for Interfaith Emergency Services because it provides emergency housing for women, sends food home with needy kids, and helps people find work.

Lutherans get a bit nervous when we talk about doing something because it sounds like works righteousness. It isn’t. We are set right before God by the free gift of faith in Jesus Christ. But what happens once we’ve received the gift? That’s where the doing comes in.

No more complaining about what someone should do. Let’s just do it.

Read James 1:22 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne