Proverbs 19: 17
He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done.
--NIV
In the name of the One Who rewards us for what we have done, amen.
It is easy for us to let our love grow cold, to say that it is someone else’s problem, or to say that all the poor are poor because they have done foolish things and deserve to be poor. It is easy for us to pass by or assume that the government will provide. It is easy think of the poor as lazy thieves who are trying to take our money.
On the other hand it is hard to keep our love warm, to realize that it is our problem. It is hard for us to take the time, to make the effort, and take personal responsibility. It is very hard.
But it was hard for God too. It was hard for Him to look at us who were spiritually poor because we had done foolish things. It was hard for Him to love us and take personal responsibility for us. But He did. He even came down to our level and lived among us. He took our stupidity on Himself, let us spit on Him and hit Him. He let us drive nails through His hands and feet and hung their with the guilt of the world oppressing His righteous soul. Every murder, every perverse thought, every theft or lust became His. Yes, it was hard, but He did it anyway.
Now here we are. Now we have the privilege of imitating our Savior’s love. Now we can do something nice for Him because of all he did for us. May this knowledge keep your love from growing cold. May it move you to stop, listen, and take responsibility. Amen.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, grant us Your Holy Spirit so that our love will not grow cold. Help us to remember that what we do for the poor we do for you. Finally, May your Holy Spirit give us wisdom and insight so that we do not enable those who are irresponsible, but that we also help those who truly need it, amen.