A Believer’s Call to Solve World Problems

When it comes to solving the world’s biggest problems, Christians should be leading the charge. Whether it is fighting human trafficking, providing access to clean water, or helping those in our communities affected by COVID-19, our mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus remains the same.  Understanding what the Bible says about our role in solving world problems, as believers, frees us to live on mission and share the hope of Christ with a world in need.

Here is a look at what the Bible says about solving world problems.

What is our calling?

Genesis 1:28 teaches us that we are to be stewards of God’s creation: “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.’” This mandate instructs us to take care of the earth, our physical—albeit temporary—home.

But that is not our only call. We are also to love others, as Jesus commanded in Mark 12:30-31, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

With these two callings, our mission is clear. We are called to steward not only God’s creation but also to care for and love others.

What is our hope in the face of harsh realities?

Often the problems of the world are messy, some even disturbing. But God promises to redeem all things at the end of time: “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” Revelation 21:5. Our God is a God of transformative work. He delights in transforming the filthiest of problems into beautiful works of art for His glory. It is this hope that we should carry to the front lines and share with those searching for hope.

What is God’s solution to the problems of the world?

In part, His solution is us, made in His image (Genesis 1:27). Although we as humans are the ones at fault for the fallen nature of our world, He chooses to put us as the torchbearers. In His magnificent wisdom, God gave us a touch of the same intellectual and creative characteristics that He possesses. We are able to think, learn, imagine, plan, and invent exceedingly beyond the capability of all other physical creatures.

What is God’s promise to us?

Paul describes God’s blessings to us as enabling us to be generous in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. Verse 11 is especially poignant: “You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” God’s promise is not that we will prosper for our own sake or that His call to live generously will not require sacrifice. His promise is that through generosity, our lives will be enriched, and the world will see His glory. As we seek to solve problems in the world, we should move forward with the boldness that comes from God’s promise in 2 Corinthians.

Next steps:

It is one thing to know God’s calling and promises. It is another to live them. The Signatry community recognizes that, as believers, we are called to the frontlines of generosity. One of the steps you can take is to build a generosity plan. You can build a personal or family giving plan. This guide will equip you to think about the calling and passions God has placed on your heart and how you can live generously on every occasion.

As believers, we are called to live generously and advance the Kingdom of Heaven. We cannot do it alone; Kingdom work requires a cooperative effort. Some may be able to solve world problems on a large scale. Others may find opportunities in personal, seemingly inconsequential moments of generosity. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Every act of generosity is another step towards solving the world’s greatest problems.

Currently, our world is facing the reality of a worldwide pandemic. The spread of COVID-19 has brought about new problems and shed a light on existing world problems. As believers, we know because of sin that all of creation is fallen and our world faces death, destruction, and despair. However, we also know we are called to be a light to the fallen world. Click here to read how you can live generously during this unprecedented season.

 

Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.