Poor: September 26, 2011

SEPTEMBER 26 2011. TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

POOR

DEFINITION:

Having little or no money or goods; dependent upon charity; characterized by or showing poverty; lacking in ability or training; humble; modest; deficient in desirable ingredients or qualities.

SCRIPTURE:

“Blessed is he who considers the poor, the Lord will deliver him in his time of trouble.” Psalm 41:1

“I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me.” Psalm 40:17

“He who has pity upon the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” Proverbs 19:17

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

I will never forget the little 12 year old girl that came to our warehouse at World Opportunities to pick up food. This warehouse was there to give food packaged in large quantities to food banks and churches. Our warehouse man asked me to come to the gate to explain to the mother and girl that they would need to go to a local church or feeding center to get help.

When I arrived at our gate and saw the tearful eyes of this little girl and heard the mother say that they had not had any food for three days, I had to respond. I asked one of our workers to gather several loaves of bread and food so we could give them a large box of items to take with them. When the little girl saw the bread she asked if she could open a loaf and have a piece. When she took that first bite her tears changed to a smile and in moments the piece of bread was all gone.

Some one once said that we can learn from the poor. I did that day and when I went home that night the story of this little 12 year old girl reminded our whole family what it meant to be poor. But more important we were reminded of two more things. First, to thank God for all that He has given us. Secondly, for us to have hearts that were open to help the poor whenever we had the opportunity.

Over the years we have seen so many instances of poor children living in dire poverty. The children who live on the garbage dump in Manila, the families who live in the slums of east Africa and the orphans (street children) who live in “lean to” houses in Guatemala. Each instance reminds us that we must dedicate ourselves to help poor people wherever they are.

We are reminded often in the Bible to remember and care for the poor. The real test of our Christian faith and beliefs is the way we treat people we meet whether they are rich or poor. Do we scorn the poor or do we have mercy on them and care enough to help?

Do we get awe struck by the rich and then forget the poor? In Matthew 25: 41 – 46, Jesus speaks of the final judgment when He will separate the believers from the pretenders. He lists in these verses the acts of kindness that sets apart nonbelievers from the followers of Christ.

There is an insightful verse found in Matthew 25: 35 that should motivate us to action: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” What Jesus is telling us is that when we do these things we are doing it for Him.

When we think that the way we treat others is as if we were treating Jesus in that same manner it puts a whole different perspective on what we do. The deeds of mercy we do is the real evidence of our faith. These acts of mercy that Jesus gives us in Matthew are simple things that we all can do. Our loving acts of kindness to others brings glory to God as it reflects our love for Him and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

In Psalms 40:17, David tells us about a different meaning to the word “POOR.” He was feeling alone, empty, downtrodden and he was in a real need for spiritual help. When David felt down and out, he knew where to turn. David knew that even though we feel insufficient God is always aware of what those who trust in God are going through. David knew that God was with him in his hour of need. It is when we are feeling poor and needy that we are most likely to seek after God and that is when God is able to do his greatest work in us.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in I Corinthians 15:58.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

PRAYER:

Thank You for the many blessings You have given me and my family. Today I pray for those who have so little. I pray that You would lead me today to someone who is either physically or spiritually poor. Help others to see Christ in me in all that I do.