Reaching Out to the Poor and Needy
Deuteronomy 15:7
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition(AMPC)
7 If there is among you a poor man, one of your kinsmen in any of the towns of your land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not harden your [minds and] hearts or close your hands to your poor brother;
Do we have a watchful eye for those in our own church who have needs? And do we look for ways we could do something to help them? Do they need food, clothes, warm blankets? What could we do to help? The Lord clearly says here that we are not to harden our hearts nor are we to keep our hands from giving what we can to help them.
Proverbs 14:31
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches, mocks, and insults his Maker, but he who is kind and merciful to the needy honors Him.
When we are kind and merciful to the needy we honor the Lord!
Proverbs 22:9
Amplified Bible (AMP)
9 He who is generous will be blessed, For he gives some of his food to the poor
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Are we generous and willing to give some of our food for the poor? What about those living on the streets or sleeping under bridges? Could we give them a snack or a blanket?
What about someone struggling in our own church - do we even invite them over for a meal? Could we help them with some groceries?
It is so easy to be caught up with our own personal struggles and forget about those who are worse off than ourselves. I have had days where everything seems to have gone wrong and I am sitting there sulking before God, and He gently reminds me that, really, what are my little struggles compared to the needs of those who are even worse off than me? He also reminds me, gently, that except for His grace I, too, could have been living on the street or in my car.
Can we live more simply, with less luxuries, that we are able to give more?
James 2:14-17
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
14 What is the use (profit), my brethren, for anyone to profess to have faith if he has no [good] works [to show for it]? Can [such] faith save [his soul]?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day,
16 And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?
17 So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).
As the Lord is saying here, our faith without acts of love, is dead! Are we sitting comfortably in our homes watching TV and dwelling upon our own trials and troubles? Would not it be far better for us to be (after praying to the Lord regarding our needs), dwelling on what we could do to help someone else?
Another thing to consider is that all people everywhere need the Lord and eternal salvation. Do we really just want to leave them on the path to hell? Do we love them enough to share the Good News of the Gospel? It is our responsibility to share; it is the Lord's work to save them.
Here is a link for great Gospel tracts, and simple ways to reach out to the Lost: www.livingwaters.com
May we all widen our gaze to see past our own troubles and to reach out with love to the poor (who are still with us), and the poor in spirit! <3
