No doubt those in need
deserve help for a season. But they should not continually lean on others for
support. This is unhealthy as it encourages passivity and perpetuates a “dependency
syndrome”.
I
have been seeing, of late, many people – with material, emotional,
psychological or spiritual needs – who constantly sponge off others even after
having received so much help and support from the latter.
No
one should be overly dependent on another person for physical sustenance,
comfort or spiritual food. We should not perpetuate a “dependency syndrome”.
To
put it more bluntly, no one should remain suckers and parasites for life.
However, there are certain exceptions to the rule – such as those who are
disabled and mentally retarded.
We
need to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. The flip
side to this teaching by Paul is that recipients of aid must also learn to
carry their own burdens (Galatians 6:2, 5).
No
doubt those in need deserve help for a season. But they should not continually
lean on others for support. This is unhealthy as it encourages passivity and
laziness.
In
fact, once recipients of aid have recovered and regained strength, they should
not only stand on their own feet but, in turn, learn to bear the burdens of
others.
I
used to tell my three kids when they were younger – they are all working now –
that nothing is free in this world. To emphasise why it is important to be self-reliant, I told them we may have to pay for the air we breathe in. In some advanced
countries, people pay to inhale fresh air at oxygen bars, which provide a brief
respite from the polluted city air.
The
apostle Paul worked hard as a tentmaker to support himself, not making use of
his rights as a preacher to live on donor support. He teaches that the “one who
is unwilling to work shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
Every
serious believer has to take up his cross daily and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).
He has to work out his faith with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:13).
Like
newborn babies, we must crave pure spiritual milk so that we will attain spiritual maturity. Yes, develop
spiritual hunger; cry out for nourishment. Go into the closet and seek God alone: Pray, worship and praise
Him away from public eyes.
It
will be a sad day indeed if this commentary is true of our lives: “You have
been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you
need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like
babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food” (Hebrews 5:12).
It
is good to receive an occasional “spiritual injection” when a visiting speaker from
another church or country comes and stirs up the Spirit in us. Well, that is so
refreshing and wonderful.
But
how long can that inspiration or empowerment last? One week? One month? Soon we
will be going down the slope from the mountain to the valley. When the
pressures of work, family and church life build up, we will go back to square
one.
So
the responsibility of growing spiritually strong falls on us. We ourselves are primarily responsible for our own spiritual development.
While
it is true we would need help from others at some point in our lives, we must
also learn to carry our own burdens. The onus to grow spiritually is on us. The
buck stops there.
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