In the time of year most known for giving, there will be many who will never receive. They are the poor and the impoverished, but they are unquestionably loved by God.
Proverbs 19:17
“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He will pay back what he has given.”
Let us remember the love the Lord has not only for us who are blessed with much, but those who are familiar with going without and may not comprehend the generosity of the Lord, because they have never perceived God’s mercy through the acts of their brothers and sisters.
Psalms 41:1
“Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.”
The Lord has much to say about those who are poor and He also has expectations for those who call Him Lord to rise up to each situation He reveals to us and to give.
I John 3:17
“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”
It is a blessing to be able to give. In a life where we often give so richly and easily to gain temporary satisfaction from fast food, luxury consumer goods, cars, and a myriad of things that never give our souls lasting satiation, we must remember that none of it benefits the poor, and we are to be watchful of where we are to be generous.
“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”
Matthew 25:32-40
The good news!
We need to look at giving in a different way. You see, anything here in this world and lifetime will not last; it is temporary ( Matthew 6:19). But, if we set our minds and hearts on the things of God’s kingdom, then it will be easy to disregard the world’s luxurious trappings and set our hearts on each other and on Him.
In order to build up the Kingdom of God, we must build each other up. Edifying the body of Christ means we share the good news of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for the forgiveness of our sins to the poor. It means revealing God’s purpose of the lives of our brothers and sisters through encouragement, correction, and lifting them out of the streets, prisons, gutters, and alleys by opening their hearts and minds to the truth of Jesus Christ.
We do this through prayer, acts of service (serving), giving, teaching, correcting, evangelizing, shepparding, and prophesying to God’s people.
“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”
James 2:5
May this word be a blessing to you. May it reveal to you the reasons why you were created, who created you, how you are to live, and what it is all for. It is all for the Glory of our God, our creator, our Lord, and our King. Blessed be His name! Amen!
Now go and love others by giving the one true gift that matters the most in this and every season, the love and generosity of Jesus Christ for us all.
You are loved! ❤️
