Earlier today I came across a long Facebook thread on the subject of giving to the poor. Many said that they were happy to give to the poor... but... they continued by saying that those in need should go through the proper agencies for assistance and not ask individuals for help. Thankfully, there were a few saints who humbly chimed into the conversation with a spirit of compassion. But... unfortunately, most of the people who joined the thread made comments from a calloused heart toward those in need.
As I was reading through this very long discussion thread, the Holy Spirit reminded me of a scripture verse on the subject of giving:
Psalms 41:1-3 KJV
"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness."
Friend, God says He will bless, deliver, and even heal those who help the poor. The Lord doesn't tell us to qualify the poor according to their degree of need. He doesn't tell us to only help those who use discretion in their asking. He doesn't tell us to lead them to an agency where they can fill out complicated forms and stand in long lines before getting an allotment of help. He doesn't even tell us to beware of dishonest beggars. The message of the gospel concerning giving is simply that we should be ready, willing and able to help those in need.
Sure, there will be some who are dishonest, trying to profit from the kindness of others; but even so, the Lord is able to bring conviction, rebuke and even allow consequences to burden those who trick a good hearted soul into helping. It is not our responsibility to judge the outcome of our giving - that's God's job. Our part is only that we give... freely.
I'm so glad that God gives freely to us! I am thankful that the Lord gives in abundance and not in allotted portions. I'm grateful that He doesn't make us stand in long lines and fill out complicated forms before supplying our needs. He doesn't even give according to what we deserve - thank goodness! If He did, no-one would ever prosper. According to scripture, the only condition for unlocking the door to getting our needs - and even our desires met - is simply to be a GIVER! The Lord wants us to look like, talk like and ACT LIKE JESUS!
Luke 6:38 NIV
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Now, if you are currently the one suffering in the land of "not enough" it is especially important that you begin to practice this principle. You see, the Lord doesn't say "give if you have an abundance." No... He just says GIVE! In fact, when we give out of our lack, we move the heart of God in a powerful way. Giving out of lack takes some serious faith and, friend, the Lord will take care of your needs - and even do exceedingly, abundantly, above all you could ask or think - when you practice "doing" the Word!
Psalm 37:25 KJV
"I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."
God is FAITHFUL! If we practice righteous acts of giving, the Lord says we will not be forsaken. He promises that our children will not have to beg for bread. In other words, the Lord will provide for our family as we provide for His!
Proverbs 28:27 KJV
"He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse."
Not only is giving to the poor the formula for opening the windows of heaven, but those who turn a deaf ear to the cries of the poor actually risk bringing about financial troubles for them self. Remember... we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7)! Friend, any of us could be rich today and poor tomorrow without the blessing of the Lord.
And by-the-way, even the poorest American is wealthy compared to most of the world. (And... what is rich, anyway? Rich is really a state of peace, health, healed relationships and needs met.)
Now, the Lord knows that it is impossible for us to give to every need. Still, He wants our heart to be compassionate. He wants us to "listen" for the voice of the Holy Spirit to direct our giving. When we make calloused remarks about those in need, we are not shining the light of God's love into a dark world. On the contrary, when we practice the "golden rule" by doing unto others as we would have others do unto us, we are living out the gospel of Jesus Christ!
With all of this said concerning the benefits of giving, the immediate reward for GIVING is the GREAT FEELING that you get when you help someone else!
Yes, it is truly better to GIVE than to RECEIVE!
THANK YOU you for being the hand of God in your circle of influence this Christmas and all throughout the year. You are the hands and feet of God in the eyes of those that YOU come in contact with each and everyday.
And... Thank you so much for helping DRM as we help others! Your prayers and financial support empowers us to share the good news of the gospel to lost, broken, hurting people all around the world.
To find out more about what DRM is doing, go to the Deborah Ross Ministries Official Website
Have a wonderful Christmas 2014!
Love in Christ,
Deborah Ross
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