Prov. 19:17 says, "He that hath pity upon the poor lends unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again."
Almost daily I pass beggars on the street... They line the intersections around Silver Spring, MD and Washington DC asking for handouts, asking for sympathy... And my heart struggles how to relate. Some carry signs saying they are homeless, some carry signs saying they are hungry. Sometimes I give them food and sometimes I buy them a meal, but I rarely give money. But I feel overwhelmed by the great need and my own lack of resources or ability.
But as I read this passage today I am reminded of this quote from Desire of Ages:
By all that has given us advantage over another,—be it education and refinement, nobility of character, Christian training, religious experience,—we are in debt to those less favored; and, so far as lies in our power, we are to minister unto them. If we are strong, we are to stay up the hands of the weak. Angels of glory, that do always behold the face of the Father in heaven, joy in ministering to His little ones. Trembling souls, who have many objectionable traits of character, are their special charge. Angels are ever present where they are most needed, with those who have the hardest battle with self to fight, and whose surroundings are the most discouraging. And in this ministry Christ’s true followers will co-operate. (Desire of Ages, p. 440)In Proverbs 21:13 we are told, "Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall not be heard." Hmmm.... very sobering!
We can't help everyone necessarily, but let us pray that God would help us to be more soft-hearted and open to that one, or those that come to us personally asking for a blessing. Let us have hearts of pity upon the poor... for we are poor too and God has pity on us!
Tomorrow's Reading: Prov. 21-22 and 1 Thes. 3
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