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Extending Sympathy

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Operation Compassion was established to oversee the Urban, Global Missions Alliance [UGMA]. Our aim is to “Admonish, encourage, and help, men and women regionally and worldwide through absolute truth” (1 Thess. 5:14). MHICDC has embraced this declaration because this is the way God desires Christians to conduct themselves – to be duly responsible for the weak.

 

(Isaiah 58:7) “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?”

 

In the above verse, through the prophet Isaiah, God says that we ought to be charitable to those that stand in need of charity. Contribute to the rescue and ransom of those that are oppressed by others, to the release of captives and the payment of the debts of the poor. This then, is the fast that God has chosen.

 

First, to provide food for those that need it. It is to share your bread with the hungry. It must be your bread, that which is honestly got, the bread of your allowance. We must deny ourselves, that we may have to give to him that is in need. This is the true fast, to break your bread to the hungry, to give them loaves and not to put them off with scraps.

 

Secondly, to provide lodging for those that need it. It is to bring to your house the poor who are cast out. If they suffer unjustly do not only pay for their lodging, but bring them to your own house, which is a greater act of kindness. We should not forget to entertain strangers: for it is possible you may entertain Christ himself. I was a stranger and you took Me in (Matt. 25:35).

 

Thirdly, to provide clothing for those that need it. When you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Some understand it of a man’s own relations. Others understand it more generally that all that partake of the human nature are to be looked upon as our own flesh, for we have one Father, even God (John 8:41). [Matthew Henry’s Commentary]

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