On May 2, Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, leaving tens of thousands dead. Many more lost their homes and all their possessions. Today survivors remain in grave danger in the absence of shelter, clean water, and food.

Ten days later, a huge earthquake shook Sichuan Province in China, again leaving tens of thousands dead and many more homeless. In addition to lack of clean water and exposure to the elements, the aftereffects of the quake continue to threaten residents; dozens of would-be rescuers have died as buildings collapsed around them.

Yesterday morning, an aircraft laden with relief supplies worth over a million dollars took off from the Charlotte airport, bound for China. The supplies, purchased by donations to Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, include material for temporary shelters, water filtration systems, blankets, and medical supplies. I had the privilege of attending a gathering of local pastors prior to takeoff. I encourage you to give to these efforts, as we have done.

Why? Some might say, “Many, many others around the world give to help those who have suffered from natural disasters. Christians are the only ones who will give to spread the Gospel. Therefore, all our efforts should focus on the Gospel.”

What is wrong with this argument?

Certainly the premises of that argument are correct. We must focus on establishing churches in all the people groups in the world. This is the missionary task given to the Church; if we do not fulfill it, no one else will.

But biblically, the question is not either/or. The question is not should we give to one cause or the other. We clearly must be involved in both. Consider these principles from Scripture (the pdf version of this devotion contains the biblical texts):

1) Jesus felt compassion for the sick and the bereaved, and acted out of that compassion.

Luke 7:12-15, Matthew 14:14

2) We are to be like Christ in the world, mourning with those who mourn, weeping with those who weep.

1 John 4:17, Romans 12:15

3) We are to show special concern for the afflictions of our brothers and sisters in Christ, for in serving them we serve Jesus Himself.

Matthew 25:31-46, Hebrews 13:3

4) But we are to love all our neighbors as we love ourselves by the power of the Holy Spirit – and our neighbors include all those who cross our paths.

Luke 10:25-11:13; see also my sermon on this passage.

5) In this way, we glorify God in the world.

Matthew 5:16, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, 1 Peter 2:12, 4:11

Given these biblical truths, we surely should give to such relief efforts.

Furthermore, relief efforts may well open doors to spreading the Gospel to the unreached peoples of the world. Consider that one of the greatest barriers to evangelism is the myth of our immortality. We all, at some level, acknowledge that we are mortal; we know we will die. But we block out those thoughts most of the time. We say, “I’ll think about death some other time” – and we say that day after day after day. Many, many people never seriously contemplate their own mortality.

But natural disasters change that. Many come near to death. Many more lose loved ones who had no idea they would die that day. Such survivors need much more than a blanket, shelter, and food. They also need spiritual help. By weeping with these who weep and by providing for their material needs, we put ourselves in a position to provide for their spiritual needs too – even at their request.

So I encourage you: Give. Pray. And may God choose to glorify Himself through these disasters, as His people, moved with His compassion, use His resources, in dependence upon His power, to show His love to those in need.