The genuinely poor, what about them? Did God make provisions for them? If so, do we have a part in these provisions? Are there blessings attached that will accrue to us if we fulfill our part in what the Bible directs us to do concerning the poor?
Are there Scriptures to guide us here? Yes. Look at the Scriptures below. They show the pattern for dealing with the needs of the poor.
Deut 15:7-11
7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:
8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
9 Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
10 Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. (KJV)
Helping the poor brings some of the greatest promises of blessings in the entire Bible. Notice what the Scriptures above say to us. Two outstanding promises are given us because we help the poor.
(1) The LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, (2) and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. Think of it. Giving to the poor guarantees blessings in all our works. Giving to the poor guarantees blessings in all we put our hands unto.
Giving to the poor makes everything we touch prosper unlike anything else we can do to trigger our blessing flow. Let us take care of the poor.
Did you ever look to see how many Scriptures the Bible contains that pertain to the poor? This will make an ideal Bible study. Look up all of them you can find. Read them. Learn them. Study them all. The poor is special with our Lord. Here are some that will open our eyes.
Ps 34:6
6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (KJV)
Ps 40:17
17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. (KJV)
Prov 14:31
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. (KJV)
Isa 3:14-15
14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.
15 What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts. (KJV)
Giving to the poor brings some of God's greatest blessings. Let us give to the poor. |
