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Giving in Difficult Times

November 1, 2008

In Israel, 25% of the population already live under the poverty line, and increased food prices have threatened their fragile existence for some time. Many families, who immigrated in fulfillment of Bible prophecy over the past 20 years, are in this category. They were brought to Israel by God for an appointed time with Him and need Him to meet their needs on a daily basis. The psalmist talks about this day when he says, “You will arise and have mercy on Zion; for the time to favor her, yes, the set time has come. For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and show favor to her dust. So the nations shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of earth Your glory. For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory, He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer” (Psalm 102:13–17). The worldwide family (staff and supporters) of Bridges for Peace have been placed in the unique position as being some whom God is using to fulfill this Scripture. We favor Zion and encourage Christians all around the world to do so; we help in the building up of Zion, and we care for the destitute.

During War
Throughout history, when life became difficult, the Jewish people experienced a terrible aloneness. The Christian world, absorbed in its own problems, ignored their plight, or worse, participated in their persecution. In 2006, when the Second Lebanon War forced a million citizens of northern Israel to flee or sit in bomb shelters, Bridges for Peace and our Christian volunteers were there to comfort, and feed. The amount of food we gave during that time is no longer remembered, but the fact that we stayed and helped them in their time of need is talked about to this day. Now, more than ever, in this difficult time, we need to show the people of Israel that we will not run away; that our friendship is not fair-weather friendship.

During Financial Instability

The temptation is to think that we cannot continue our charitable giving in times of financial instability. That is natural thinking―but not supernatural. God says in His Word that He is our source, and He will provide for all our needs. Then He encourages us to give and shows us His divine economy. Yeshua (Jesus) commended the widow who gave two mites in the offering because she gave out of need rather than out of plenty (Mark 12:41–44).

In Matthew 25:31–40, Yeshua says: “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”

Bridges for Peace is a Matthew 25 ministry, reaching out and feeding the literal brothers of Yeshua, the Jewish people. Now is the time to favor Zion, to feed her destitute―the hungry brothers of the Lord. Showing Christian love in dark times will be like a light shining on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

During Times of Meager Supply

Supernatural giving results in supernatural provision. In the book of Kings, we read the story of Elijah and the widow:

“Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, ‘Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.’ So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, ‘Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.’ And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, ‘Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.’ So she said, ‘As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.’ And Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD God of Israel: “The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.”’ So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke by Elijah” (I Kings 17:2–16).

As long as we are following the direction of the Lord, we can trust Him to provide for our needs. He is not hindered by financial difficulties. He cared for Elijah and the widow and her son in a calamitous time. He will care for you.

Remember God’s promise: “I will bless those who bless you and I will curse him who curse you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). As you purchase food for your family, don’t forget to send a blessing? an offering to feed the people of Israel. It will be like putting money in the bank?God’s bank!

Blessings from Jerusalem,

Rebecca J. Brimmer
International President and CEO