Kindness To The Poor

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,and he will reward him for what he has done.

Proverbs 19:17 (NIV)

One thing I have learned in my life is you can’t outgive the Lord.

Sometimes I think about that little boy in John 6 who gave his entire lunch to Jesus so that the rest of the five thousand people there that day could eat. It’s ridiculous that he thought his little lunch could make any difference. And of course there is the fact that he must have considered that if he gave up his lunch, he would then have no lunch. But because the little boy had just heard Jesus teach the Sermon on the Mount, he had heard him say, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor . . . what you will put on. . . . But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:25, 33, NKJV). And since he was still young and still able to believe that what God says is more valid than what circumstances seem to say, he did it. He gave it all. In that moment of letting go of his lunch, he put himself entirely, completely in the Lord’s hands, voluntarily. Hmmmm. Can I have a little word with you now? Have you ever really done that? Can you imagine what this little boy felt like as he saw what the Lord did with his lunch?

So if God puts a holy tug on your heart as you see a need, don’t be afraid. God has a wonderful economy. Trust him, because “he who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Let me give you an example. Do you believe in protecting the unborn? Are you pro-life? Put your money where your mouth is! Many women resort to abortion because they feel absolutely desperate. I have several friends whose life’s passion is to provide resources and support and counseling through crisis pregnancy centers. Behind each of them is a little army of loving people, each doing a small part. Some give money, some provide rides to doctor’s appointments, some crochet baby blankets, some are on call for personal and emotional care. Make a difference; get involved.

One Year Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 26:12–27:34; Romans 4:13–5:5; Psalm 14:1-7; Proverbs 19:17