HELP FOR THE POOR

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another who will be kind to the poor.

Proverbs 28:8

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you. Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit. Leviticus 25:35-37

God’s word from the Book of Leviticus was clear. The people of Israel were to take care of one another and the poor in particular. God was the God of all, those who were prospering and those who weren’t and He expected His people to care for one another the same way as He did. There was to be no division, no separation caused by worldly socioeconomic differences.

The poor were in need of help and often needed a loan of money or food. Those who could provide to help meet the needs of the poor were to give with compassion and without the expectation of profit through raising the price of food over its value or charging interest on money lent. They were to do this out of respect for the Lord who would ensure they were provided for and blessed for caring for those who were struggling.

So what would happen if someone would not adhere to the law, disobeying God by abusing the poor through charging them interest on money loaned or raising food prices to try and profit off those who were in need?

Our proverb today provides the answer to that question. Look again at the words of Solomon:

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit from the poor amasses it for another who will be kind to the poor. Proverbs 28:8

Note here that if a person chose to neglect the poor, taking interest or profiting off of them in direct violation of God’s word, they would not get use of the money they gained but rather God would see that the money would go to someone else who would use it to be kind to the poor. In other words, if a lender or food vendor chose to greedy and exploit the less fortunate, they would not get to enjoy the fruits of their sinful ways. God would have the last say on what happened to their profits and His will would be to ensure the poor were cared for.

Friends, can we see the message here, a message that is more fundamental than charging interest or seeking to profit off of the needy?

We need to see that God has a heart for the poor. They are not forsaken or forgotten or without favor. The Lord God Almighty is watching over them and will meet their needs and He expects us to do likewise. In fact, He has provided the people in this world with all the resources to ensure that no one would ever go without having what they need to live and survive. And yet we have countless children and adults dying around the world every day because they lack the most basic of things to just live, things like food and water and medicine. It’s the greatest tragedy happening in our world outside of the number of people who have decided they don’t need Jesus in their lives. Perhaps the two are connected.

For anyone who has Jesus in their heart will feel compelled to do something for anyone in need. It would be a priority because they would live selflessly and self-sacrificially. Their money would not be seen as their own but of the Lord’s and they would seek to use it to His glory to make a difference in the world and care for what Jesus called the least of these (Matthew 25:34-40). If all people accepted Jesus and received Him into their lives, there would be no one perishing from starvation or dehydration or preventable medical conditions. Rather, there would be a bounteous plenty for all to draw from and everyone could have a lease on the precious life that God has granted them.

How long will the people of God stand on the sidelines and watch their brothers and sisters who are poor perish?

How long will it take for us to feel compelled to see how blessed we are and seek to bless others as God has blessed us?

Friends, today is the day to respond to this word of God and my prayer is that you will take action and act in some way to make a difference in the lives of those who are poor, those who need our help so very much. Won’t you pray and ask the Lord what He wants you to do in this matter? Know and trust that He’s waiting for that prayer to provide you guidance as He uses you in some special way to provide for the poor.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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