Lending to God

"He who is kind to the poor, lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17

By the title of this devotional you'd think that I had mis-spoken or misprinted what I was trying to say, huh? After all, God doesn't need anything from us so how could we lend him anything? What then could this possibly mean that when we are kind to the poor we are lending to God?

It is as if we are actually fulfilling something that Christ says in the New Testament... The Disciples asked Jesus, "When have we seen you hungry and not fed you?" Jesus replies, "When you didn't feed one of the least of these (referring to the poor) you didn't feed me. Jesus has such a strong association with the truly needy that He compares them to himself. He also says "when you did feed one of the least of these (again referring to the poor), you fed me.” Wow, Jesus had a very intense and high priority concern for the poor. Are you kind to the poor? Or do they just bother you or trouble you?

Many passages of Scripture make it very clear that Jesus has a very serious commitment to widows, orphans, prisoners and the poor. We must have the same passion as the Lord for those He cared so dearly about. He Himself will reward those who share His concern and actions on their behalf. Not just words mind you, but actions... deeds. Christ implores us to be kind, to respond and do something tangible with the right motives. The immediate reward of knowing it is what Jesus would do is enough in and of itself, but Christ promises more and believe me, there is more. There is something so hugely exhilarating about doing His will. Words don't touch it. To know and see Him glorified is such a fulfilling reward. Be kind to the poor, Jesus will show you why it is His heart's desire.

With His blessing,
Pastor Fred.

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