My grocery store clerk at check out time asks for a dollar donation for food for the poor. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone gave one buck to meet this overwhelming need?
I think God requires much more than this to take care of needs of those around us. Of course I need to give (hopefully more than one dollar) but my thinking and passion should change so that I can ask God, “What would You have me to do”.
Can I buy groceries, make a meal, pay a bill, provide clothing or school supplies or give to a ministry that takes care of the needy? Ask and God will show you the way.
In Matthew 25:35 – 40, Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Busyness, preoccupation with other things, apathy or a wrong belief system, thinking that someone else will meet a need are all excuses to keep us from ministering to others. Excuses to not give to the poor:
- Too busy
- Selfishness
- Don’t know any needs
- Don’t have any money or resources
- No burden
God purposely places people in our pathway for us to respond to with love, care, prayers and often, material goods. God wants us to follow His leading, to ask Him for wisdom and to give as He prompts our hearts and minds.
It is not good to give money to a person plagued with addiction or one who is not wise in their spending. I look for ways to give without adding to their problems. I supply them with a meal, buy food or pay a necessary bill to minister to the greatest challenges they have. I share Christ and His love as the supply of their need.
God speaks clearly about the necessity to care for the poor in the following verses:
- Psalm 82:3-4 Defend and take care of the poor and needy.
- Proverbs 14:21 Have mercy on the poor and needy.
- Job 30:25 Has your soul grieved for the poor?
- Isaiah 61:1 We are called to preach good tidings to the poor.
- Mark 10:21 Sell what you have and give to the poor.
Promises: For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, “You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land. Deuteronomy 15:11
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given. Proverbs 19:17
Partnering with God: God, give me sensitivity to see needs of those around me
and wisdom to give exactly where you want me to give. Am I willing to give my time, encouragement, material goods and money to help true needs where Jesus will be glorified.
Let me know your thoughts!
Partnering with God,
Elaine
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