Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Proverbs 17:5-8
Prov 17:5-8
Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince. A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
Matt 25:37-40
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
James says that “true religion” before God is to take care of widows and orphans in their distress. God has always been concerned about those who are poor and those who are facing problems in life. Under the Law of Moses, there were provisions made for those who were in need so that their fellow Jews would take care of them. God knows your troubles and he knows mine and he cares.
John says that we show our love for God when we take care of those who are less fortunate and have needs. If we don’t love our fellow people who are in need, then we really don’t love God. He will present opportunities for us to help others in proportion to our ability to help, and it is up to us to see the opportunities and to take advantage of them. It is not enough just to wish them luck or to tell them that we hope things get better. We are to give them what they need.
None of us can feed all of the hungry people in the world. None of us can clothe all of those who need clothing. None of us can visit all the sick people or all of those who are in prison. But this is no excuse for not helping anyone. We have all seen scam artist and bums who just will not work but want others to provide for them. These do not excuse us from helping those who really need it. Trying to know which we encounter can be difficult, but when in doubt, it is my feeling that it is better to err on the side of compassion rather than being hardhearted.
O Lord God, give me a compassionate heart and a generous spirit to help those who are in need. Help me remember that all I have in this world is not my own but is only on loan from you. Thank you for all of the people in my past who have been willing to help me when I needed it and thank you for all of the times that I have been able to help others in need. Help me show my love to you by showing your love to others around me. Since you have freely given to me, help me always give freely to those who are in need. I pray in the name of Jesus my Lord.
Robert
