It is good to be helpful. The Lord is looking for helpers.

How can we help the Lord? He is the Almighty God and can do anything; but here are two ways that we can help Him.

1) Helping the poor, sick, and needy with their physical needs. “Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand. . . I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took Me in:  Naked, and ye clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came unto Me. . . . Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:34–36, 40

2) Helping the spiritually destitute with their spiritual needs.  “There will be no one saved in heaven with a starless crown. If you enter, there will be some soul in the courts of glory that has found an entrance there through your instrumentality.” –Last Day Events, p. 282

“Every Christian is to be a missionary. . . . All may find something to do. None need feel that there is no place where they can labor for Christ.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 104. “Every individual Christian is required of God to be active in missionary service.” –The Review and Herald, October 22, 1914

In either case, it is a matter of helping our fellow man, whether with their physical needs or spiritual needs. In helping them, we are helping the Lord. No Christian is exempted, and can expect to drift into heaven on their own, without bringing others. “Ye are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14

To be an effective helper we must listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit and let Him direct our paths. There may be times when we want to do a noble work, but the Lord says, “No, I want someone else to do that job and you do something else.” This was the case with King David when he had it in his heart to build a temple for the Lord. Although it was an excellent project, the Lord said, “No, I want your son to build it.” King David accepted the Lord’s direction but he was still helpful in whatever way he could. He donated a lot of money for the project before he died. David was one of the few who was humble enough to accept the fact that the Lord did not need his help with a certain plan that was a good plan.

Some truly believe that God is dependent on their help alone to get the work done correctly and efficiently and so they try to do all the work themselves, not trusting that others can do the job just as well. Although they have good ambitions to help, the work is not dependent on anyone alone. The Lord gives various gifts to different members, to perform different duties in the church and to share the responsibilities (1 Corinthians 12). The work of the Lord is not dependent on any one person. James White wore himself out by doing too much himself.  Even though it is good work, the load needs to be shared. “The heavy responsibilities should not rest upon one man in any branch of the work.” –The Review and Herald, October 12, 1886. In the time of Christ, Judas thought himself best suited to be a leader amongst the disciples; however, we see the New Testament church managed quite well without his executive abilities.

Yet God has made Himself dependent on mankind for help in the salvation of souls, but that is His choice. Not only because humanity can best reach humanity, but also because we need a missionary spirit for our own salvation.

“As His representatives among men, Christ does not choose angels who have never fallen, but human beings, men of like passions with those they seek to save. Christ took upon Himself humanity, that He might reach humanity;. . . and through co-operation with the divine, the power of man becomes efficient for good.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 296–297

You and I are both qualified to be a helper for the Lord. “He who called the fisherman of Galilee is still calling men to His service. And He is just as willing to manifest His power through us as through the first disciples. However imperfect and sinful we may be, the Lord holds out to us the offer of partnership with Himself, of apprenticeship to Christ. He invites us to come under the divine instruction, that, uniting with Christ, we may work the works of God.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 297

The Lord helps those who help themselves

In the Christian world there are two opposing views of salvation. Some take “saved by faith” to one extreme, believing that the Lord does it all, and we have nothing to do for salvation, but to trust that the Lord will do it all.  And then there are those who are adamant that we are saved by the “deeds of the law”. Both of these views are at opposite ends of the spectrum and both are erroneous alone.

In matters of our personal salvation, we are to work with God.

“The apostle James saw that dangers would arise in presenting the subject of justification by faith, and he labored to show that genuine faith cannot exist without corresponding works. The experience of Abraham is presented. ‘Seest thou,’ he says, ‘how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?’ James 2:22. Thus genuine faith does a genuine work in the believer. Faith and obedience bring a solid, valuable experience.

“Faith and works are two oars which we must use equally if we [would] press our way up the stream against the current of unbelief . . . . The so-called faith that does not work by love and purify the soul will not justify any man.” – The Faith I live By, p. 115

Salvation is working together with God. We have a will and desire to work, and God supplies the strength to work.

“The work of gaining salvation is one of copartnership, a joint operation. There is to be co-operation between God and the repentant sinner. This is necessary for the formation of right principles in the character. Man is to make earnest efforts to overcome that which hinders him from attaining to perfection. But he is wholly dependent upon God for success. Human effort of itself is not sufficient. Without the aid of divine power it avails nothing. God works and man works. Resistance of temptation must come from man, who must draw his power from God. On the one side there is infinite wisdom, compassion, and power; on the other, weakness, sinfulness, absolute helplessness.” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 482

“We are to do all that we can do on our part to fight the good fight of faith. We are to wrestle, to labor, to strive, to agonize to enter in at the strait gate. We are to set the Lord ever before us. With clean hands, with pure hearts, we are to seek to honor God in all our ways. Help has been provided for us in Him who is mighty to save.” –Faith and Works, p. 48

“When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man’s best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit. But He will not accept those who claim to have faith in Him and yet are disloyal to His Father’s commandment. We hear a great deal about faith, but we need to hear a great deal more about works. Many are deceiving their own souls by living an easy-going, accommodating, crossless religion.” –Faith and Works, p. 50

“If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24. The Lord helps us when we tax all our energies to help ourselves.

When we should not help the Lord

There are times in our personal life when we try to help the Lord accomplish what we think should be the expected end.  As long as it is not in violation to the commandments of God, we should go forward, asking the Lord to direct our paths, and change our course if necessary.  Some have come to a crossroads and seen that the only way to success is a minor violation of the commandments and that “the end justifies the means.” But where is their faith?

Jacob tried to help the Lord in making sure he got the promised birthright, by lying and deceit (Genesis 27). He knew that the promise was made to his mother at

his birth, but did he doubt that God could fulfill His promise unless he took matters in his own hands? His mother did doubt when she saw her husband sending Esau to fetch some venison for him, stating he would then pass on the birthright to Esau. For this reason Rebekah influenced Jacob to lie and deceive. He, being a grown man, could have refused to follow through with his mother’s plan, but he did not. Perhaps he thought his mother was correct, that this must be done in order for God’s will to be fulfilled in his life. They believed that God could not accomplish His purpose unless they intervened. This was the only way they could think of. It would have been much better to make it a matter of prayer before the Lord.

King Saul tried to help the Lord, in making the sacrifice when Samuel delayed (1 Samuel 3:5–13). He saw his army deserting him and he was getting desperate to try to encourage the few remaining soldiers to not leave and to trust in the Lord; trust that He would bless them.  To avoid any more desertions, the king felt he must take matters in his own hands and perform the sacrifice.  “Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering.” 1 Samuel 13:12. Since Samuel delayed, the king felt “forced” to violate a commandment of the Lord, in this emergency situation.

Judas tried to help the Lord by forcing Him to defend Himself from the Jewish leaders and take the throne. Judas did not like the fact that Jesus was not taking David’s throne as most of the Jewish people expected the Messiah to do. Judas finally thought to force the hand of Jesus. He thought that Jesus needed a little help to accomplish His purpose.

“Notwithstanding the Saviour’s own teaching, Judas was continually advancing the idea that Christ would reign as king in Jerusalem. At the feeding of the five thousand he tried to bring this about. . . . Judas was first to take advantage of the enthusiasm excited by the miracle of the loaves. It was he who set on foot the project to take Christ by force and make Him king. His hopes were high. His disappointment was bitter.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 718–719

“Judas did not, however, believe that Christ would permit Himself to be arrested. In betraying Him, it was his purpose to teach Him a lesson.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 720. Judas’ help proved his own ruin as it was not according to God’s plan.

Peter tried to help the Lord to defend Himself, by cutting off the ear of Malchus. “They were disappointed and indignant as they saw the cords brought forward to bind the hands of Him whom they loved. Peter in his vehement anger rashly cut off, with his sword, an ear of the servant of the high priest.” –The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, p. 104

He was anxious that Jesus would be taken by that unruly mob. Forgetting all the miracles that Jesus had performed, forgetting that He was the Messiah, he thought he had to take out his weapon and help Jesus to defend Himself so that He could escape the mob (John 18:10).

The early apostles tried to help the church, by encouraging Paul to go partake in a cleansing ceremony (against all that he had been preaching for all those years) (Acts 21). It did not help the church, but ended up with Paul being imprisoned. The Apostles claimed that, “many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law.” v. 20. But yet, “they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.” v. 21. Yes, this was true. This was Paul’s teaching. However, to placate the newly converted Jews, they insisted that Paul take part in a ceremonial cleansing to prove that “thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.”  v. 24 (Ceremonial Law). This did not help the church.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in WWI was threatened by the governments in Europe. If they did not join the military effort they would lose their properties. To help the Lord save their churches and institutions in Europe they sent their young men into the military. It was a good thing that their schools, churches and sanitariums were saved so that they can continue doing the work of the Lord after the war. But was it really a good thing to obtain the favour of the government in violation of God’s cause? They are a large church today, while those that chose to refrain from military duty and remain faithful to God belong to a much smaller church today (Reform church). “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

While we may think that we would never do as these people in the Bible did, but do we?  “Consider your ways.” Haggai 1:5

In your personal life, do you trust yourself to the Lord’s keeping 100%, or are there some areas that you feel you must help the Lord out?

Money is a big stumbling block for many people; causing them to fear and not trust, often taking matters into their own hands. For example, some do not fully trust the Lord to provide for their needs and so work on the Sabbath, to help the Lord provide for them.  They do not believe the Lord can provide if they stop working on Sabbath, whether a full-day, a half-day or even an hour before or after the Sabbath hours. “We should jealously guard the edges of the Sabbath. Remember that every moment is consecrated, holy time. Whenever it is possible, employers should give their workers the hours from Friday noon until the beginning of the Sabbath. Give them time for preparation, that they may welcome the Lord’s day with quietness of mind. By such a course you will suffer no loss even in temporal things.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 356. Or they fear losing their job because of the Sabbath and have little faith that God will take care of their needs.

David said, “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25. The Lord has a storehouse to provide for our needs. “For the world is Mine, and the fulness thereof.” Psalm 50:9

Here is how the Lord will provide for you, “Cast thy bread upon the waters.” Ecclesiastes 11:1. “Give, and it shall be given unto you.” Luke 6:38

Even though money is a big hindrance for many people, we do need it to survive in most of the world. Do we need to help God to obtain money? Yes, we do, “if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10. We must certainly do our part by working, and then trusting God to provide for our needs after we have paid our tithes. Unfortunately, some say they cannot pay their tithes because after they pay their bills there is nothing left. If we put God’s needs first, then it is up to Him to provide for us and He has never let any true follower down yet. He said He will provide and His promises never fail.

What about this second tithe? Is it really necessary? Is God really asking for this from us? Does He need it?  “To promote the assembling of the people for religious service, as well as to provide for the poor, a second tithe of all the increase was required.” –Welfare Ministry, p 273. “The second tithe was set apart to increase the building fund.” –The Needs of the Cause in Australasia, July 4, 1903 par. 23. The second tithe has a different purpose, and can God supply your needs if you step out by faith and pay a second tithe and offerings on top of that? Some do not believe God can, so they try to help God provide for their needs by finding some genuine reasons why they cannot give more. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:21. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings.” Malachi 3:8. The reality is that by withholding from God what He is asking, you are preventing His help, by taking your financial matters into your own hands. If you help the Lord with your finances, He will most certainly help you to make sure your needs are met. The tithing and offering system is not because God needs our money, it is because we need to have a greater faith in God to provide for our needs. It is to eliminate selfishness from our characters.

What about some other small dishonesty such as, selling a car or a house that is not in perfect condition? Do you have to conceal the truth in order to get a good price for the car or house? Is this helping God get what you need? You got a higher price so now you can donate more to the cause of God, but does God want your money that is obtained in a dishonest manner?

Some feel they must be dishonest in other areas such as job interviews, in order to look better and help the Lord to help them get employment. They “stretch the truth.”

Some feel that true success in life is the obtaining of many material goods. There is a well known song, entitled “My Father is Rich in Houses and Lands.” The final verse begins with, “A tent or a cottage oh why should I care, they’re building a mansion for me over there.”

Never do we need to help the Lord in supplying our needs and directing our paths, by dishonesty, breaking any commandments, or going contrary to God’s expressed will. For this reason we must live very close to the Lord so we know what His will is for us. Although it may not be a violation of the commandments, it may not be His will.

The best help for the Lord is perfect obedience to the 10 commandments and selflessly helping the helpless.

May God help us to be truly helpers for the Lord, and understand when our help is not needed, in all areas of life, from our personal lives, to missionary work and the salvation of souls. The Lord is looking for honest workers who will not stray one pin from the right pathway, but continue on with the strength of the Lord in perfect obedience to His will.  Amen. Wendy Eaton