Assisting, in the biblical context, refers to the act of helping or supporting others in various capacities, reflecting the love and compassion that God commands His followers to exhibit. The concept of assisting is deeply rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the importance of community, service, and selflessness.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for the principle of assisting others, particularly through the laws and commandments given to the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 15:11, the Israelites are instructed to be open-handed toward their fellow countrymen: "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you to open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and poor in your land." This directive underscores the importance of generosity and support within the community.

The book of Proverbs also highlights the virtue of assisting others. Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse suggests that assisting those in need is not only a moral obligation but also a service to God Himself.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament expands on the theme of assisting others, with Jesus Christ serving as the ultimate example of selfless service. In Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus speaks of the final judgment and emphasizes the importance of helping those in need: "For 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 took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you looked after Me; I was in prison and you visited Me." Jesus identifies Himself with the needy, teaching that assisting others is akin to serving Him.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of assisting in his epistles. In Galatians 6:2, he writes, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This instruction highlights the communal responsibility of believers to support and assist each other, reflecting the love of Christ.

The Role of the Church

The early church exemplified the practice of assisting through communal living and sharing of resources. Acts 2:44-45 describes the early believers: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This model of mutual assistance and generosity became a hallmark of the Christian community.

The church is called to continue this tradition of assistance, as seen in 1 Timothy 5:10, where Paul outlines the qualifications for widows to receive church support, emphasizing their history of good deeds, including "bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in distress."

Spiritual Gifts and Assisting

Assisting others is also recognized as a spiritual gift within the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul lists "helps" as one of the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the church. This gift enables individuals to serve and support others effectively, contributing to the overall health and function of the church body.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate to assist others is a reflection of God's character and His desire for His people to live in loving community. Through acts of service, believers demonstrate the love of Christ and fulfill their calling to be His hands and feet in the world.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Assist.

Whether all the Angels who are Sent, Assist?
... I answer that, The angels are spoken of as "assisting" and "administering," after
the likeness of those who attend upon a king; some of whom ever wait upon him ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all the angels who.htm

The Prisons at Alcala and Salamanca
... Although Ignatius was unwilling to accept the sentence, because, though condemned
in no respect, he was nevertheless prevented from assisting his neighbor, he ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter vi the prisons at.htm

Jesus Led Back from the Court of Herod to that of Pilate.
... impeded his steps, and caused him to fall heavily more than once; and his cruel
guards, as also many among the brutal populace, instead of assisting him in his ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxi jesus led back.htm

Edwards -- Spiritual Light
... in the communication of that spiritual and divine light that is spoken of in the
doctrine; it is from the Spirit of God only as assisting natural principles ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/edwards spiritual light.htm

Scruples --Heavenly Favors --Journey to Barcelona
... soul. Besides the seven hours devoted to prayer, he spent a portion of his
time in assisting souls who came to him for advice. During ...
/.../chapter iii scruplesheavenly favorsjourney to.htm

The Life of Mr. Patrick Hamilton.
... of the most reverend fathers in God, and lords, abbots, doctors of theology, professors
of the holy scripture and masters of the university, assisting us for ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr patrick.htm

Letter xiii. Christian Activity.
... Female benevolent societies, for assisting the poor, should be formed in all large
towns; and in most places, much good may be done by forming societies for ...
/.../letter xiii christian activity.htm

Articuli Arminiani Sive Remonstrantia.
... continuance, and accomplishment of all good, even to this extent, that the regenerate
man himself, without prevenient or assisting, awakening, following and ...
/.../articuli arminiani sive remonstrantia.htm

Upon Compassion. Preached the First Sunday in Lent.
... favours; to esteem a man's being friendless as a recommendation; dejection, and
incapacity of struggling through the world, as a motive for assisting him; in a ...
/.../butler/human nature/sermon vi upon compassion preached.htm

Interdenominational Readjustment
... If the Home Mission Boards, through unwise use of mission funds for the purpose
of assisting in competitive struggles, should precipitate retaliation by other ...
/.../chapter viii interdenominational readjustment.htm

Assisting (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Assist. Multi-Version
Concordance Assisting (3 Occurrences). Philippians 4:3 and I ...
/a/assisting.htm - 7k

Assisted (9 Occurrences)

/a/assisted.htm - 9k

Nathan (42 Occurrences)
... at the king's court. He last appears in assisting David in reorganizing
the public worship (2 Chronicles 29:25). He seems to have ...
/n/nathan.htm - 29k

Judges (117 Occurrences)
... by a portion of the tribe of Dan; and (b) the almost total extinction of the tribe
of Benjamin by the other tribes, in consequence of their assisting the men ...
/j/judges.htm - 81k

Genuine (9 Occurrences)
... Philippians 4:3 and I ask also thee, genuine yoke-fellow, be assisting those women
who in the good news did strive along with me, with Clement also, and the ...
/g/genuine.htm - 9k

Fitches (3 Occurrences)
... Greeks and Romans. These seeds have a warm aromatic flavor and are carminative
in their properties, assisting digestion. They, like ...
/f/fitches.htm - 9k

Ephod (45 Occurrences)
... Thus, the boy Samuel was girded with a linen ephod while assisting the aged high
priest (1 Samuel 2:18); the priests at Nob, 85 in number, are described as men ...
/e/ephod.htm - 27k

Maintenance (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An officious or unlawful intermeddling in a cause depending between others,
by assisting either party with money or means to carry it on. ...
/m/maintenance.htm - 8k

Memorial (54 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Serving to preserve remembrance; commemorative;
as, a memorial building. 2. (a.) Mnemonic; assisting the memory. ...
/m/memorial.htm - 28k

Pekah (11 Occurrences)
... years). Pekah came to the throne with the resolution of assisting in forming
a league to resist the westward advance of Assyria. ...
/p/pekah.htm - 19k

What is the spiritual gift of helps? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Nethinim? | GotQuestions.org

What is the role of ushers in the church? | GotQuestions.org

Assisting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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