Deuteronomy 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. --NIV In the name of the One Who cares for all people, amen.
The idea that there will always be poor people is echoed in the New Testament when Jesus was anointed with oil and Judas complained (John 12). Jesus said that we will always have the poor with us, but that we wouldn't always have Him with us in that way.
When we come to the realization that the poor never go away, we can become discouraged and hard hearted. But that is not what God wants, and so He urges us to be openhanded. Poverty is not something to be fixed, but to be ministered to. It is no different with us who are spiritual beggars before God. He ministers to us and gives us forgiveness in Christ. In the same way we minister to the poor and give them what they need. Amen.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You won forgiveness for us, and even though we are never righteous in ourselves, You continue to bless us. In the same way help us to be a blessing to the poor, so that Your name is glorified because of us, amen.
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