By Pastor Elijah Mutiso
Associate Pastor, Fedha Church KAG
James 2:14 -17
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 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? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Helping the poor accords us an opportunity to be Christ-like, it is a unique privilege. Let these verses encourage you as you seek to live a generous life, displaying the same love Christ shows to us. For while we were poor, needy and helpless, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Anyone can become poor including you
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.
Never look at the poor and judge them, that they are lazy, Be humble and grateful that you are privileged to have. Be kind hearted and have the right altitude toward them. Have the right heart, a heart of compassion
Thus the poor will always be with us
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.”
Since anyone can be poor, we will always have the poor around us, purpose and be ready to help. Have the right hand but Remember
Proverbs 22:2.
Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.
Luke 1:52.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
In other words, God can interchange the situation and today you are privileged to be well up do not provoke God to put you on the other side.
The poor exist for our benefits
The poor are an opportunity for our blessings, not a nuisance. It is an investment opportunity so be generous with them so that God can justly bless us. When you see the poor, see God and give as if you are giving to God and expect payback from Him not from the poor person. As you deal with the poor be careful you are dealing with God. Never ever look at the appearance of the needy.
Proverbs 19
17. Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
Proverbs 14:21
Whoever despises his neighbour is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
Proverbs 22:9
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
You can see, God allows the poor and needy to exist as an opportunity for us to invest so that he can bless us. Never help the needy with them in mind, see they are God - sent and never expect repayment from them. They cannot and that can discourage you from helping. Always see God given opportunity in the need or the poor and grab it.
Let us seek discernment because we also have cunning con men and women.
Never oppress the poor or take advantage of the needy or poor.
Proverbs 22:16
Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.
Proverbs 14:31
Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
Never take advantage of opportunities and privileges meant for the poor yet you are not poor.
Giving to the poor is an insurance premium you better invest heavily for your cover.
Psalm 41:1
Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him;
Matthew 5;7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Sow a seed of mercy and you will harvest mercy.
Story of Dorcas
Acts 9:36-43
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
Giving to the poor demonstrates true faith
James 2
14. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
15. Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
16. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
17. In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 1:27. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Conclusion
Proverbs 21
13. Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
Proverbs 22
2. Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.
You are blessed not because you deserve it. You have so that you can share with those who don’t have. To have is a privilege, not your right, be willing to share. Be careful God can turn tables.
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