GOOD DEEDS & MEETING NEEDS—Proverbs 22:9 “He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.” No matter what economic status we find ourselves in, there is almost always someone who has less than we do. God desires that we are conscientious about the condition of those around us and look out for those less fortunate than we are. • Proverbs 19:17 “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given.” • Proverbs 28:27 “He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses.” • Deuteronomy 15:7-8 “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, 8but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.” • Matthew 10:42 “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” When we reach out in kindness, generosity and compassion to meet the needs of those less fortunate than we are, then in small ways we are demonstrating exactly what God has done for us. In our sin, we are spiritually bankrupt, destitute and impoverished and God who is rich in mercy poured out His grace upon us—2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” Everything we have is a gift from God. He has made us stewards over the possessions He has given to us. We are to be responsible with what He has entrusted into our care so we can care for those in need in order to perpetuate the gospel message. In giving to others, we are giving from Him and back to Him at the same time—Matthew 25:34-40 “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 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.” God is paying attention to what we do with what He has given to us. We need to be tuned in to where He guides and directs us to give to others and respond quickly to His promptings. It isn’t about ‘how much” we give or even “how often” we give as much as it is about the motivation of the heart that causes us to give in the first place. Our giving should not only be out of a heart of obedience but also out of a heart that is overflowing with gratitude for what the Lord has given to him/her. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” God promises that generosity will not go unnoticed. He assures us over and over that blessing and reward will await those who give to those in need. Dear Lord thank You for all that you have given to me throughout my life! I am overwhelmed with the generosity that you have poured out over my life. Thank you for the many people who have given to me and my family in our times of need. Thank you for allowing me to be able to pay back all these kindnesses by bringing those into my life who I can reach out and help in their time of need. Keep my heart tender and sensitive to the needs of others. I know I can’t help everyone in need, but I know that you will show me and give me the wisdom to know who, how and when to help! Thank you for all your provision! Thank you for all the family and friends you have surrounded me with. Thank you most of all for my salvation!
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 05:29:27 +0000
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