Beautiful Word Devotional #21

I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

Deuteronomy 15:11

It’s easy to become desensitized to the needs of the poor, particularly if we live in suburban America. We forget the struggles our nation’s working poor face every single day, and on TV we’re confronted by worldwide poverty.

Jesus taught that we’ll always have the poor with us. Yet when we look at Jesus’ life on this earth, we will see just how much he valued the poor. He stopped to talk with them. He healed them. He even said the poor were blessed. Why? Because poor people know their great need for God.

Now, if we say we love God, then we will value what and whom he valued.

So look around you. Maybe a friend is struggling to pay a bill, or a child in the Philippines needs sponsorship, or a young woman in your community needs a Big Sister. Prayerfully ask Jesus to show you where he wants you to help meet the needs of the poor.

Lord, I want to be openhanded when it comes to people in need. Enable me to give generously and joyfully, amen.