It’s not something we normally think about. But, perhaps it needs to be. Whatever God has entrusted me with must be used to His benefit - not mine. If whatever I have increases in value or worth, it is because He has granted me the increase. If there is any doubt in my mind about this fact, all I have to do is realize how quickly the profits of property or investments can be “wiped out.” Stock markets crash and property can be devalued and there is nothing I can do. They are beyond me - but not God.

Where can we invest our God given “gifts” and be assured of the best returns? Loan them to the poor. No, I have not become an investment counselor. I am simply recommending that we follow the advice of Solomon: “He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He (not the poor) will reward him for what he has done.” The “wisdom” of Solomon encourages generosity toward those who are “poor” or seemingly lack in God’s blessings. Further, if we care for the poor we are being obedient to the teachings of God.

What we do to the poor we are doing to the Lord. Jesus said that “what you do to the poor you do to me.” Could it be that God is testing our trust in Him by giving to the poor? When we see or hear about the “least of these” and do nothing, is God giving us a “head, heart and hand” test? We have God’s teachings in our heads but they do not honor Him unless we let them flow through our hearts and hands to those who lack in His blessings.

“Kind to the poor” as used here implies that the poor will never be able to repay us for what we do for them on behalf of God. However, it does, without a doubt, imply that we are “lending to the Lord” and it is God - not the poor - who becomes obligated to us for the “return on our investment.” We are in fact lending “it” to Him. And when He makes a promise, we can take it to the bank!

Prayer:  Lord, we “guard” our possessions as though they belong to us. Help us to understand that what we have is actually Yours! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

Thinking “poor” is difficult for most of us. We have so much more than we need that it is difficult to understand what it is like to go without. For many, however, the distance between a healthy meal and pangs of hunger is quite a distance. Many of us have never had to go without a meal much less the essentials of life.
Most of us have invested some “thing” in those who represented themselves as poor only to find out that we have been “tricked.” Some say they will never give again because they were tricked.

There are times when I find myself “guarded” when people come to my office with a need for some “thing.” It might be for money to pay the gas or electric bill, or milk to nourish a baby or money for a loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter. Often when I find myself questioning their motives I ask myself: “Who am I to be their judge?”

Later on in Proverbs we will come across a verse that says, “For God made both the rich and the poor.” So, my response to those in need is an indication of how I would respond to Jesus Himself if He came to me with a need.

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus said, “What you did to the least of these brothers of mine, you did it unto me.” If we fail to respond with compassion to those in need how can we expect God to hear us when we have needs?

When we see someone in need let us never forget that God brought that one into our lives to help them. It’s not our choice. It’s our obligation to do whatever we can.

Prayer:  Lord, give us hearts that are sensitive to the needs of others. May we bless their lives as You have ours. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 17:5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.

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.