May STORM Report: Why Is It So Hard to Receive Help?
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Volume 10 No. 8
May 19, 2021
“The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”
—Proverbs 22:4
Why Is It So Hard to Receive Help?
by Glenn Moots
Homeowner in the Midland, Michigan OPC Disaster Response Effort
Rebekah, Michelle, Glenn and Andrew Moots
It is hard to accept help from others.
As Christians, we hear the direction of Paul telling us to be “cheerful givers” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Paul also tells us (quoting Jesus), “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). We are tempted to infer from this that God loves givers more than receivers.
The Western tradition also commends giving more than receiving. Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, a landmark text, and part of the education of the Protestant Reformers, praises generosity great and small. Aristotle emphasizes that while benefactors do something noble, the same cannot be said for their beneficiaries. In his De Officiis (often translated On Duties) Cicero offers extensive advice on giving. Like Aristotle, he also emphasizes reciprocity: It is shameful to receive without giving something in turn, ideally of similar value. Hence, while giving is honorable, receiving is not—and it puts us in debt to others.
As if all this doesn’t make receiving help hard enough, Americans are expected to be self-sufficient. Our culture prizes self-sufficiency and independence. We celebrate the entrepreneur and the innovator who solve problems, not those who fall prey to problems. Receiving help is associated with dependence, laziness, or weakness.
Is it Safe for Christians to Refuse to
Welcome the Stranger?
by Rev. Chris Cashen
Pastor, Trinity Reformed Church in Lanham, Maryland and
Chairman of the Refugee Ministry Subcommittee
A little over two weeks ago, on May 3, 2021, President Biden raised the 2021 cap on refugee resettlements in the United States fourfold: from 15,000 to 62,500. As he did so, the president stated that the previous limit “did not reflect America's values as a nation that welcomes and supports refugees.” In the same statement, President Biden indicated that he would set the refugee admission cap at 125,000 for the 2022 fiscal year, which begins this year on October 1st. Shortly after President Biden’s statements, Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, declared that “It is in our DNA as a nation to open our door to those seeking refuge . . .”
What does this mean? Who are these refugees? And how are we to respond? All good questions which require thoughtful answers.
Opportunities and Updates
The Boardwalk Chapel
There are still ways to get involved with The Boardwalk Chapel this summer!
- Street Preaching Conference (May 27-31)
- School of Evangelism (June 7-12)
- End of Summer Staff openings (beginning July 10)
Missionary Associate Needed in Quebec City
A Missionary Associate (M.A.) is needed to work with OP Missionary Rev. Ben Westerveld in Quebec City. The sooner someone can start, the better! Coming this summer/fall would allow for time to work on learning French and help with various ministries during the winter before the rush of organizing summer camps for 2022.
English Café in Quebec
St-Marc’s Reformed Church in Québec City, where OP Missionary Ben Westerveld is the Pastor, welcomes you to come to Quebec and do friendship evangelism by hosting a “Café Anglais” (English Café). Travel restrictions may apply during the pandemic. Be sure to contact Pastor Ben with any questions.
The Uganda Mission
There are several ways that you can serve at the Uganda Mission, especially for those able to go for a month or more. Check our website for all opportunities.
The Latest
Tropical Storm Isaias
Presbytery of the Mid-Atlantic:
Leonardtown, Maryland
Site coordinator, Curt Sproul, reports that progress continues, but is slow at times. In the next few weeks, they plan to finish the kitchen cabinets, install flooring, doors, trim, bathroom fixtures and complete some plumbing hookup. After that, household items will be cleaned and returned to the home. Please continue to pray for this effort.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response Fund
To date, the CPR Fund has received $94,864.19 in generous donations and has disbursed $57,695 of that to brothers and sisters around the world. Your gifts are appreciated.
Are You Prepared ?
Maybe you've never endured a hurricane—or maybe you have and you'll never forget the inherent fear of what could come. Either way, you can probably relate to that feeling when a storm is ominously looming. A quiet summer day gives way to a dark sky, nearly black, thunder in the distance, and the trees begin to sway. You need to brace for a serious weather-related event. You immediately wonder what everything around you will look like tomorrow. June begins hurricane season. Don't get caught unprepared. Take a few minutes to look through our online resources. It may not spare you from the storm, but it just may make the aftermath a bit easier.
You don't have to be a storm-chaser, you just need a heart to serve others who are on the receiving end of a hurricane's fury. Register with OPC Disaster Response to let us know you are interested in serving, where you can, when you can.
Join the 280 already registered!
Distribute to your church!
Get the PDF summary of this STORM Report as a poster or bulletin insert.
Short-Term Missions
OPC Disaster Response
Committee on Diaconal Ministries
David P. Nakhla
Short-Term Missions and
Disaster Response Coordinator
215-935-1007
david.nakhla@opc.org
Trish Duggan
Communications Coordinator,
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
Trish.duggan@opc.org
Sarah Klazinga
Administrative Assistant
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
Sarah.klazinga@opc.org
