TEXT: ACTS 28:3
"And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand."
In this short text from the Holy Scripture, it is not difficult to encounter the spirit of a true minister of the gospel. We do not see Paul preaching or taking Bible studies here: what the people needed here and then was neither of these: a fire to keep them physically warm was their consuming need at this point in time!
As good and useful as preaching and Bible studies are, a man must know when humanity needs something else for their physical upkeep and wellbeing. A total negligence and ignorance of the physical need of humanity, is not a good spirit at all. Our calling involves caring for the entire need of humanity.
Paul demonstrated here how a servant of God should act toward the physical needs of humanity especially those kept under his watch. Paul, as it were, closed his Bible and went all the way out to get a bundle of sticks so as to keep the fire on, thereby keeping his fellow prisoners and his captors warm. What a fine spirit!
We must understand that the physical condition of Paul's at this momment would have prevented him from doing this good work: he was a prisoner shipped from Jerusalem, with chains on his hands and legs; heavily monitored and watched by a Roman soldier. Imagine a man with chains on his hands and legs going about under rain and cold, gathering sticks to keep a fire on: not for himself, but for others(some of these were murderers, robbers and his captors.) This is a social work, for the benefits of fellow men. May our eyes see this! Amen!
It then follows that Paul was not restricted by his physical condition. Nothing can stop this kind of man from discharging his duty to humanity. He himself said to the Galatians that as much as opportunity abound, good should be done to all men. Chains could not restrict this man. Bars of iron were not able to prevent him from having fruits among the Gentiles.
He was more effective than those who do not have fetters on their legs and hands. How a lot of saints sqander their liberty! His prison walls could not stop his letter to Philemon through Onesimus. This kind of fellow has no respect for chains and fetters neither does he regard bars of iron and brick walls. He carries out his assignments out of season and in season.
To this kind of man, responsibility toward God and man can be discharged with this notion in mind: "Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching."
Men and brethren, humanity should be lighted and salted by us: we are here to take care of man. We should be intent upon keeping them warm and in good condition. Their physical needs must be attended to at every slightest opportunity. Like Job, no stranger should sleep on the street, if it is in our power to provide a roof over his head.
Unfortunately, denominationalism has numbed our sense of sainthood: we promote our denominations...any good done to humanity is done with the view of populating and promoting a man-made empire. Our universal and ecumenical responsibility to men-ward, has eluded us. Let us learn from Paul! What a fine and smooth disposition: under rain and cold, he moved from one point to another with fetters on his hands and legs looking for sticks on the island so as to keep his fellow men warm!
Some believers can only do "spiritual" works but impotent and negligent to do social works geared toward enhancing human existence. Many saints do not know that when there is rain with serious cold, a fire is supposed to be kindled to heat up the atmosphere. If Philip had not gone to the way that led down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is a desert, he would not have known what to do when the angel said: "Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert."
This means that Philip had gone to that desert before, probably to give water to thirsty travelers and camels. God may never send a man to a terrain he is not acquainted with. May God give us large heart to embrace all mankind and a broad shoulder to carry and bear one another's burden!
This bundle of sticks made a big difference in the lives of these prisoners and Roman soldiers. Do you know how to keep humanity warm? Can you gather sticks just for their warmth? We should not spiritualise this gesture of Paul...it is literal! A scripture that is supposed to be applied literally can be dangerous if spiritualised. May we see light!Amen!