The Church in the wider world – charity
Jesus told his followers that the greatest commandment was to love God and to Love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31). Following this teaching, many Christians are involved in charity work where they can put this into action.
A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
The parableA story told by Jesus through which he teaches and illustrates moral lessons and principles. of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31–46) strongly encourages Christians to take action to help those in need. In this parable, Jesus makes it clear that a life worthy of the reward of Heaven must involve actively helping people in need. Jesus explains that helping a person, no matter how low in status the person may be, is just the same as helping Jesus himself.
Tearfund
Tearfund is an evangelicalGroup, or church, placing particular emphasis on the gospel and the scriptures as the sole authority in all matters of faith and conduct. organisation that aims to contribute to ending hunger all over the world. It cares for refugeeA person living outside their own homeland as a result of war, famine or persecution. in particular. Tearfund often encourages young people to spend time overseas helping on projects. It supplies various kinds of aid, but there is a large focus on spiritual needs as well as physical. Tearful has set up over 67,000 churches.
Tearfund has been working in Ethiopia since the 1970s. It began by creating self-help groups in order to make the country sustainable. It has also provided emergency aid following droughts.
In Zambia, Tearfund has focused on teaching skills to local people, such as how to plant crops so as to produce a large amount of food.
Christian Aid
Christian Aid was set up after World War Two to help refugees in Europe. It now works in disaster zones around the world.
Every year, during Christian Aid Week, the organisation asks each household in the UK to give money to help continue its work to end poverty throughout the world. Christian Aid projects often use the skills of local people to improve life for the community.
CAFOD
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) works to fight poverty and injustice around the world. It works through churches in places that have suffered natural disasters, aiming to give people the skills to help themselves.
Question
Which parable tells Christians that they must help other people no matter who they are?
The Parable of the Sheep and Goats.
