Christian Comment with Clive Dale of Ebley Chapel

DURING the last few days we have had statements about the new Universal Credit that is currently being rolled out across the country.

The Prime minister said something like 200,000 people will be better off.

Other reports are stating that 400,000 families will be worse off.

The week before last an OXFAM report states that the 80 richest people in the world have more wealth than the rest of humanity.

Just imaging this: Those that have half the wealth of the world can be transported in a double decker bus.

We may not have any of those 80 richest people in the UK but there is a very big gulf between those at the top down to and including a number of our politicians, and those that have to rely on ‘Food Banks’ and other forms of help.

I believe we should thank everyone that: works for such charitable organisations; supports them with gifts of food and donations of money; and in other ways.

In our lives each of us is equipped to have something to offer to others to help improve their lives.

We can give our money and our time to charity, be a friend to someone who is sick or lonely, do volunteer work, or be a peacemaker, teacher, or minister.

We may give unselfishly of our time to members of our family.

We may choose a service-oriented occupation, or we may just do our everyday jobs with integrity and respect for others.

It would seem that the more we give to others, the poorer we become, but just the opposite is true.

Service to others brings meaning and fulfilment to our lives in a way that wealth, power, possessions and self-centred pursuits can never match.

As Jesus said, “For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give -- large or small -- will be used to measure what is given back to you." Luke 6:38 (The Living Bible)