MINISTERING TO NEED

^[p. 176] MINISTERING TO NEED

My time has been so occupied I trust you will excuse my delay in answering your letter.

I believe the sorrow or need in one assembly is the sorrow or need of every assembly. Rebekah does not think of the interests of Isaac until she is with Him. When in conscious union with Christ the whole body is your interest as it is Christ’s interest. This answers, I think, your first question — whether our brother’s need should have been made an assembly matter. I see that the brother with means is called to dispense it as the Lord may lead him. I feel I should not like to ask him, though I feel always at liberty to present a case of need to the assembly.

The assembly, like Corinth, might not be in a state to minister to the servant. Paul would not accept from the assembly though he received from one of them, but as you observe, the apostle exhorts them to care for the need of others. I am free to ask the assembly to help in a case of need, and I am sure it is good for the assembly to be asked to help.

Your second question as to providing our brother with a boat and nets — I think that as they represent the tools by which he earns his livelihood it is commendable that we should enable him to continue his business, and I was glad yesterday to give my little expression of sympathy with him.

I am glad you enjoyed the meetings. Friday evening was very humbling — a voice to us that if we are not in the Lord’s hand we are as water spilt on the ground.