The Bible is clear that our salvation comes by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) but the Bible is also clear that what we do, our works if you will, matter. So is there a contradiction?

“If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,’ and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works…Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac, his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected.” James 2:15-18, 21-22

Saving faith comes from belief that Jesus is the risen Son of God and that He paid the debt for our sins on the Cross. Because of this He is the only way to have access to the Father (John 14:6). And we are compelled to share this message with the world. But these verses show us that the we also have a responsibility to help people meet physical needs. There cannot be a disconnect between our spoken message and our life lived out by our actions. What kind of testimony is it if we send people away with verbal blessings and do nothing to help them if we have the means to do so? Actions speak louder than words, does sending people away cold and hungry speak love?

It is true that none of us can help every needy person we come into contact with, especially in a place like Honduras because there is so much need. But, we can pray and seek God’s leading to help as many as we can in a constructive manner. From these principles briefly expounded upon here, came the creation of Abundant Life Coffee. We started this family business to import specialty coffee in order to provide economic opportunity and hope to Lenca families. In addition to connecting families to the profitable international coffee market we help them obtain plants and training so they can produce their own coffee instead of picking coffee for somebody else at very low wages. By providing economic opportunity and hope they are interested in hearing our message. This is opening doors for us to start new churches and train new leaders.

Faith and works, working together for God’s glory and worship. To get involved, please visit our website, www.abundantlifecoffee.com