By Rev. Michael Mwangi
Senior Pastor, Fedha Church KAG
The poor will always be with us because it is God's way of testing our love.
Deuteronomy 15:7 If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother.
Deuteronomy 15:8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.
Deuteronomy 15:11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”
Always remember:
1 Samuel 2:7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.
1 Samuel 2:8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honour. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and on them, he has set the world.
Giving to the poor is a way of giving us prosperity
Proverbs 22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Giving to the poor is a way of invoking God's blessing in your life.
Acts 10:31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor.
Giving to the poor a saving for your most needy hour
Psalm 41:1-3
[1]Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
[2]The Lord protects and preserves them— they are counted among the blessed in the land— he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
[3]The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness.
Example
Acts 9:36-41
Giving to the poor is a test of generosity
Proverbs 14:21 Whoever despises his neighbour is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
Proverbs 14:31 Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honours Him.
Proverbs 22:16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
Giving to the poor must be practical not spiritual. Some people want to spiritualise everything.
James 2:14-17 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Don't spend what is of the lord with the poor.
Giving to the poor is a test of love for the fellow brethren.
You cannot give your tithe and offering to the poor that is holy unto the Lord, only the priest can.
You care for the poor with your generosity which is what remains and is yours after giving to the Lord.
Matthew 26:9-11
[9]“This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”
[10]Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.
[11]The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.
Conclusion
Proverbs 19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
Comments
Post a Comment