Care for the needy and vulnerable! (R) (6/6/2023)
Proverbs 19:17 "He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." - NIV
There are people with whom God is concerned and asks us to always remember. These include orphans, widows, children, the needy, marginalized and vulnerable. God measures the quality of our relationship with Him, attaching rewards in His kingdom (among other things) to our level of care for these people. God is merciful and compassionate. He is ever touched by the suffering of His people. He wants us to feel the same way.
As you give to the poor, out of kindness heart with a genuine desire to improve their wellbeing, means you don’t expect any returns because they can’t pay. The Lord takes it upon Himself to pay you back. Unfortunately, some have used the state of the poor to enrich themselves through manipulation and lies as they solicit support purportedly for them, but it never gets to them! Again, the Lord takes it upon Himself to deal with such heartless fraudsters!
The bible says the poor will always be with us. This gives us opportunities everyday to recieve blessings from God to Whom we lend as we give to the poor. God warned Israel not to be tight fisted to their poor and needy neighbors. At times the deception of wealth and selfish attitudes makes others feel the poor are a burden. May we serve God as we reach out to such people all around us. And you can be sure to recieve the promised reward from God.
Deuteronomy 15:7,20,11 "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother… Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
Shalom children of God.