(Prov 22:9 CEV) The LORD blesses everyone who freely gives food to the poor.
This morning we continue our series entitled “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” Without question the Bible instructs us to walk in love. Well, guess what? You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. When you develop in the love of God your heart becomes tender towards others and it creates within you a sincere desire TO BE a blessing.
For one reason or another there will always be poor in this world. We can attempt to write them or make excuses for why they are poor, but God is not asking us to be critical, He is directing us to be generous; to BE a blessing, to make a difference, to meet the need of someone else. When we do so, when we meet that need (financial or otherwise), it opens the door for God’s love and light to reach the person we are ministering to.
To me, giving to the poor is three things:
1. Right: What is the purpose of discipleship, if not evangelism? Likewise, what is the purpose of financial prosperity, if not generosity? Government Welfare was not God’s idea. God’s plan is much more simple. The Father simply looks for a man whose heart is full of compassion towards the poor, and whose hands distribute to their needs in sincere love; this man will continually be blessed because his heart is conditioned TO BE a blessing. Once you prove you can be trusted to be a conduit through which God can bless others, the flow will never stop.
2. Necessary: One day a young lady poured a very expensive perfume over Jesus’ head and the disciples reaction was: “What a waste! It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to Me? You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have Me” (see Mat 26:9-11). Without getting into the context of that passage, the simple point is that Jesus acknowledged the fact that we will always have the poor among us. That being the case, the will always be a need for willing vessels to cooperate with God to meet their needs. Are you willing? Once you start giving you will never regret it!
3. A Temporary Solution: When Jesus’ cousin (John the Baptist) was in jail he sent his disciples to ask Jesus the following question: “Are you the one he said was going to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus’ response was: “Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind can see, the lame can walk, the lepers are made clean, the deaf can hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Gospel is preached to the poor”(see Luke 7:20-22). What is the answer to being blind? Seeing. What is the answer to being lame? Walking. What is the answer to being a leper? Clean skin. What is the answer to deafness? Hearing. What is the answer to death? Life. And so… what is the answer to poverty? Is it money? NO! It’s the Gospel! While giving money to the poor is definitely necessary, it is NOT addressing the real problem. The true answer to poverty is a change of heart and mind. Once the Word gets down inside of a person and the Word starts to come alive in them, it is only a matter of time before they get out of whatever bad situation they find themselves in; poverty included.
So what does this mean to you today? It simply means that the Father wants you TO BE a blessing. And if you do, if you determine to use all that He blesses to pass through Your hands for His glory, then you will continue to experience THE BLESSING. Father Himself will ensure that the act of kindness will not be in vain.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for blessing me TO BE a blessing. I give, save, and spend (in that order) for the rest of my life. I shall be a conduit through which You bless others. Use me as a distribution center. The more comes in, the more will go out. I am focused on more than just my household and me. You give me the wisdom to manage my finances in such a way that all our needs and responsibilities are met and we are also able to finance Your kingdom purposes in the earth. I am a giver and my heart is in my giving. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
