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How Christians Are Following God\u2019s Call<\/strong><\/h3>\nAll too often, we hear stories about contemptable people behaving in contemptable ways. Many of them, unfortunately, are Christians. But I\u2019m here to tell you that Christianity and humanitarianism can go hand in hand, and many times they do.<\/p>\n
The famous examples include athletes, actors and actresses, and singers, but my favorite story concerns twin sisters whose soup kitchen has fed thousands of hungry people in my own community since 1986.<\/p>\n
Following are my stories about how Christianity and humanitarianism can go hand in hand.<\/p>\n
God\u2019s Humanitarian Commands<\/strong><\/h3>\nGod repeatedly commands Christians to help people in need. Leviticus 25:35 in the Old Testament tells us: \u201cIf your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and sojourner, and he shall live with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
In biblical times, helping people could be a life and death matter. God\u2019s prophets even warned the Israelites that God would judge them according to how they cared for widows, orphans and strangers.<\/p>\n
Widows and orphans in ancient times were in a precarious position. With no government safety nets to ensure their survival, they relied on the goodness of other people when their breadwinner died.<\/p>\n
The Book of Ruth in the Old Testament drives this point home by sharing the story of two women\u2019s survival following the deaths of their husbands. Likewise, travelers depended on the willingness of others to provide food and shelter because travel was quite dangerous.<\/p>\n
In the New Testament, for example, Christ\u2019s story of the Good Samaritan tells of a traveler who is beaten and left to die on a roadside until a stranger rescues him (see Luke 10:25-37). You also may read my post about the parable here.<\/a><\/p>\nAnd Christ famously tells his followers: \u201cFor I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me\u2026.Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me\u201d (Matthew 25: 35-40).<\/p>\n
How Modern Christianity and Humanitarianism Can Go Hand in Hand<\/h3>\n
Former quarterback Tim Tebow, a devout Christian and Heisman Trophy winner, found a unique way to raise funds for charity. I\u2019ll share his story shortly.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll also tell you Emmy-winner actress Patricia Heaton\u2019s story about rediscovering God and working as an ambassador for an international Christian humanitarian charity.<\/p>\n
Retired NBA player Dikembe Mutombo has devoted much of his life to humanitarian causes around the world through the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, and you will hear about his work.<\/p>\n
Finally, you will learn about two retired nurses, Helen Ashe and Ellen Turner, who less famously created The Love Kitchen to provide food, clothes and fellowship in my community.<\/p>\n
A Heisman That Keeps on Giving<\/strong><\/h3>\nOne of my favorite stories concerns former quarterback Tim Tebow. He received the coveted Heisman Trophy for college football\u2019s most outstanding player in 2007 and uses the award in unique way to raise money for humanitarian causes.<\/p>\n
Rather than let his trophy collect dust on a shelf, Tebow decided to periodically auction it off for charity. Every year or so, he holds an auction and temporarily donates the statue to the winner to display in their home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy have it in your garage?\u201d Tebow asks.<\/p>\n
The ESPN football analyst and former Florida Gators quarterback explains, \u201cMy goal is that it could be the most impactful Heisman one day not by sitting on a shelf\u2026 (but by) being on a lot of other shelves and making an impact on a lot of kids\u2019 lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tebow, an outspoken Christian and son of missionary parents, has probably achieved his goal through the Tim Tebow Foundation.<\/p>\n
The non-profit focuses on helping children with severe medical needs, as well as through orphan care, a wish-granting program, a children\u2019s hospital, and anti-human trafficking services.<\/p>\n
Learn more about Tebow\u2019s humanitarian work here.<\/a><\/p>\nHearing God Loud & Clear<\/strong><\/h3>\nActress Patricia Heaton, who starred in Everybody Loves Raymond<\/em> and The Middle,<\/em> rediscovered her Christian faith during the pandemic.<\/p>\nShe explained to The Christian Post<\/em>, \u201cThere\u2019s a season of real busyness when you\u2019re raising children and having a family and working. And often, we don\u2019t make enough space to allow God to really talk to us. So, I have more space now, and I\u2019m hearing loud and clear.\u201d<\/p>\nAs an ambassador for the Christian humanitarian charity World Vision, she joins with the organization\u2019s other celebrities to \u201cmobilize and educate their fans about the desperate need of millions of children and families worldwide.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of their strong voice among a crucial audience, World Vision Artists play a vital role in supporting World Vision\u2019s efforts to make a difference and influence change around the world,\u201d the organization says.<\/p>\n
World Vision helps children, families and communities in tackling poverty and injustice. Check out the organization here.<\/a><\/p>\nUsing Basketball to Help Others \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\nFormer NBA great Dikembe Mutombo is a humanitarian who created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997. The organization works to improve the health, education and quality of life for people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has helped feed homeless people and mentor children.<\/p>\n
The 7-foot-2-inch All-Star was born into a devout Christian community in the Congo. It was there that he established the Biamaba Maria Mutombo Hospital in memory of his mother in 2007. The hospital is one of the few facilities in the region to treat patients with cancer and sickle cell anemia.<\/p>\n
Since his retirement in 2009, Mutombo has become a full-time humanitarian who \u201chas invested millions in philanthropic causes in his native country and abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n
He often uses basketball as a teaching tool, conducts clinics and works with the NBA Cares, an internationally recognized organization that supports the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, UNICEF, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and other charitable non-profits.<\/p>\n
God repeatedly commands Christians to help people in need. Leviticus 25:35 in the Old Testament tells us: \u201cIf your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and sojourner, and he shall live with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
In biblical times, helping people could be a life and death matter. God\u2019s prophets even warned the Israelites that God would judge them according to how they cared for widows, orphans and strangers.<\/p>\n
Widows and orphans in ancient times were in a precarious position. With no government safety nets to ensure their survival, they relied on the goodness of other people when their breadwinner died.<\/p>\n
The Book of Ruth in the Old Testament drives this point home by sharing the story of two women\u2019s survival following the deaths of their husbands. Likewise, travelers depended on the willingness of others to provide food and shelter because travel was quite dangerous.<\/p>\n
In the New Testament, for example, Christ\u2019s story of the Good Samaritan tells of a traveler who is beaten and left to die on a roadside until a stranger rescues him (see Luke 10:25-37). You also may read my post about the parable here.<\/a><\/p>\n And Christ famously tells his followers: \u201cFor I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me\u2026.Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me\u201d (Matthew 25: 35-40).<\/p>\n Former quarterback Tim Tebow, a devout Christian and Heisman Trophy winner, found a unique way to raise funds for charity. I\u2019ll share his story shortly.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll also tell you Emmy-winner actress Patricia Heaton\u2019s story about rediscovering God and working as an ambassador for an international Christian humanitarian charity.<\/p>\n Retired NBA player Dikembe Mutombo has devoted much of his life to humanitarian causes around the world through the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, and you will hear about his work.<\/p>\n Finally, you will learn about two retired nurses, Helen Ashe and Ellen Turner, who less famously created The Love Kitchen to provide food, clothes and fellowship in my community.<\/p>\n One of my favorite stories concerns former quarterback Tim Tebow. He received the coveted Heisman Trophy for college football\u2019s most outstanding player in 2007 and uses the award in unique way to raise money for humanitarian causes.<\/p>\n Rather than let his trophy collect dust on a shelf, Tebow decided to periodically auction it off for charity. Every year or so, he holds an auction and temporarily donates the statue to the winner to display in their home.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy have it in your garage?\u201d Tebow asks.<\/p>\n The ESPN football analyst and former Florida Gators quarterback explains, \u201cMy goal is that it could be the most impactful Heisman one day not by sitting on a shelf\u2026 (but by) being on a lot of other shelves and making an impact on a lot of kids\u2019 lives.\u201d<\/p>\n Tebow, an outspoken Christian and son of missionary parents, has probably achieved his goal through the Tim Tebow Foundation.<\/p>\n The non-profit focuses on helping children with severe medical needs, as well as through orphan care, a wish-granting program, a children\u2019s hospital, and anti-human trafficking services.<\/p>\n Learn more about Tebow\u2019s humanitarian work here.<\/a><\/p>\n Actress Patricia Heaton, who starred in Everybody Loves Raymond<\/em> and The Middle,<\/em> rediscovered her Christian faith during the pandemic.<\/p>\n She explained to The Christian Post<\/em>, \u201cThere\u2019s a season of real busyness when you\u2019re raising children and having a family and working. And often, we don\u2019t make enough space to allow God to really talk to us. So, I have more space now, and I\u2019m hearing loud and clear.\u201d<\/p>\n As an ambassador for the Christian humanitarian charity World Vision, she joins with the organization\u2019s other celebrities to \u201cmobilize and educate their fans about the desperate need of millions of children and families worldwide.<\/p>\n \u201cBecause of their strong voice among a crucial audience, World Vision Artists play a vital role in supporting World Vision\u2019s efforts to make a difference and influence change around the world,\u201d the organization says.<\/p>\n World Vision helps children, families and communities in tackling poverty and injustice. Check out the organization here.<\/a><\/p>\n Former NBA great Dikembe Mutombo is a humanitarian who created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997. The organization works to improve the health, education and quality of life for people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and has helped feed homeless people and mentor children.<\/p>\n The 7-foot-2-inch All-Star was born into a devout Christian community in the Congo. It was there that he established the Biamaba Maria Mutombo Hospital in memory of his mother in 2007. The hospital is one of the few facilities in the region to treat patients with cancer and sickle cell anemia.<\/p>\n Since his retirement in 2009, Mutombo has become a full-time humanitarian who \u201chas invested millions in philanthropic causes in his native country and abroad.\u201d<\/p>\n He often uses basketball as a teaching tool, conducts clinics and works with the NBA Cares, an internationally recognized organization that supports the Special Olympics, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, UNICEF, the Make-a-Wish Foundation and other charitable non-profits.<\/p>\nHow Modern Christianity and Humanitarianism Can Go Hand in Hand<\/h3>\n
A Heisman That Keeps on Giving<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Hearing God Loud & Clear<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Using Basketball to Help Others \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n