Introduction
Galatians 6:6-10, in the New International Version (NIV), reads:
“6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
This scripture admonishes us to do good whenever we get the opportunity, especially to members of the family of Christ. Whenever we sow a seed of goodness, we are establishing a premise to also receive goodness. Genesis 8:22 exposes us to the principle of seed time and harvest time, this is to emphasize that any seed of goodness sown has an expected harvest in time to come. By this principle, no gesture of goodness to any member of the family of Christ shall be unrewarded.
By extending a helping hand, we lay for ourselves treasures in the heavenly realms which will be credited to us in our time of need. God really is a rewarder and when He says there is a reward, certainly there is. When we reach out to help others, we’re storing up heavenly treasures for ourselves. These treasures will be available to us when we’re in need. God is indeed a giver of rewards, and His promises are always fulfilled. 1st Corinthians 12:28 enlightens us on the gifts of the spirit, as part of these gifts is the gift of help, this simply means the will be members of the family of Christ who will need a ministration of help. The “domino effect” refers to a chain reaction where one event triggers a series of similar events sequentially. It illustrates how a small action or occurrence can lead to significant consequences, often in a rapid and interconnected manner, similar to how falling dominos knock down one another in a line. This phenomenon expresses clearly the concept of sowing and reaping.
Hannah gave what she did not have by faith, thus, to say, the just shall live by faith!
Hannah’s seed of help
1 Samuel 1:9-28 (NIV): “9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.’
12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, ‘How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.’
15 ‘Not so, my lord,’ Hannah replied, ‘I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.’17 Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.’18 She said, ‘May your servant find favor in your eyes.’ Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast….
Hannah gave what she did not have by faith, thus, to say, the just shall live by faith! Hannah made a vow to affirm her decision. This act initiated a chain reaction. In Hanna’s agony in prayer, the Prophet gave a helping hand (17 Eli answered, ‘Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him). Through prayer she set a motion. Hannah’s plight to Lord was to have just one child, nevertheless she purposed to give the child back to the service of the Lord. The seed of one child to the service of the Lord gave birth to five more children. In the course of time, the Prophet Eli helped mentor the boy, Samuel. He was his guardian throughout His growing up. On one occasion when the Lord was reaching out to Samuel and He could not comprehend it, Eli helped him by instructing him on what do (1 Samuel 3:6-10 (NIV): “6 Again the Lord called, ‘Samuel!’ And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ ‘My son,’ Eli said, ‘I did not call; go back and lie down.’ 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. 8 A third time the Lord called, ‘Samuel!’ And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, ‘Here I am; you called me.’ Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”‘ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.'”)
There are a lot of people who need a helping hand in the family of Christ, there many that needs mentorship. The act of helping in one’s life can make a lot of difference in the life of that person. We have a responsibility as Christians to extend helping hands to the brethren.
In another discourse, Samuel also extended a helping hand to David, He anointed David as King over Israel. In the course of time, an evil spirit tormented King Saul and David was employed to help through the playing of the harp. In another instance, David defended the people, Israel (1 Samuel 17).
It is evident how Hannah’s act of help has triggered a series of help chains, just to emphasize the ‘domino effect’.
Conclusion
Momentarily, let us put aside the loud gifts, we should all be involved in the ‘helps’ ministry. We must help others. If we do not help, we will do a lot of harm to the generations after us. Like the ‘domino effect’, one act of goodness will trigger a series of goodness in the times to come. Just as a single act of kindness can spark a chain of goodness, our actions today can ripple positively into the future
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