Where do service and charity end? Certainly, not in the home. Selfish homes produce selfish children and God’s Kingdom and God’s world suffers. What can be done to change this condition?

“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”

There is an obvious route that travels from the head to the heart to the hands. God’s Word enters our lives through our head. We hear the Word preached and taught and read and meditate on the Word each day. But it must not stop there. It must reach into our hearts - the very center of our lives and then move outward through our hands in service and charity to others. It’s the head, heart, hands conception.

What is in our hearts always comes out in our lives. Nobel character is of little good if the character is an end in itself. In fact, the sign of our character is seen in what we do in our homes first and then God’s world. One pastor said, “A saving faith is always seen in serving others.” If we are saved, we will serve.

There can be little doubt that our love for God is always seen in our attitude and actions toward those in need. Proverbs contains many warnings about those who refuse to be charitable and in fact reminds us that giving to the poor is the same as lending to God.

“Open arms and extended” hands, however, is much more than giving “things.” It is giving one’s self. It includes time, talents and teaching God’s way to others.

Prayer: Father, we owe so much to others because of what You have given us. May we all serve sacrificially! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 31:20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

We were sitting in the “break room” having lunch. I had been invited to eat with the employees to “connect” with a young man who was having serious financial and marital problems. When he finished eating, he took his plastic dinnerware to the sink, washed them, wrapped them in a napkin and put them in his pocket.
Another employee noticed what he did and said, “Wow, you’re really having it tough. Want mine too? No doubt your family could use them.”

When those words pierced his heart, he burst into tears, dropped his head to his chest and stood quietly, not knowing what to say. One more blow to overcome on his path to survival.

I walked up to him, put my arm around his shoulder and said, “I’ve gone through difficult times, too. I’m glad I had to do without when I was your age because now I understand your feelings and know you will survive.”

The one who “oppresses the poor” is not a friend of God. In fact, such behavior is a reflection of their attitude toward the One who created both of them. If anyone has contempt for anyone it spills over onto God - for He gave life to both of them and they are equal in His sight. His Son died for both of them - as He did for each of us.Whatever anyone has is a gift from God to be used to honor Him. Jesus made that extremely clear when He said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” When we share with those in need, as Solomon said, we honor God.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, we ask for hearts filled with compassion to care for those in need as You care for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.